September 26, 1935 - June 8, 2022
In loving memory ~
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of long time Merville resident Ed Yakichuk.
Born in Canora, Saskatchewan, to William and Mary (Boyda) Yakichuk, Ed learned early about hard work on the family's quarter section. The year he turned 8, he started working for the Highways Dept, cleaning ditches. He drove truck from Moose Jaw to Swift Current before he was old enough to hold a drivers license. "It wasn't a highway yet."
Ed moved to the Comox Valley in 1964 taking a job with Dave Corrigal Trucking, then started ED Yakichuck Excavating. That's when he found his pride and joy - his John Deere 450 Crawler.
Ed worked hard and kept working. He worked on his own work, and then he worked on his neighbour's work, then he worked on your work - even if you didn't know you had work to do.
After work it was time to go to the dance. To dance EVERY dance. He never sat down.
During his lengthy battle with cancer, Ed astonished medical professionals because he showed up every day ready to work on living.
Survived by his wife and friend Pat, sons Curtis(Rhoda) Yakichuk, Bob(Linda) Yakichuk, Jeff(Alison) Smith, Brian (Christy) Smith and daughter Tami (Danny) Madigan. Grandchildren Cassidy, Breanna, Cierra, Jordan, Aaliyah, Nathan, Sadie and Sawyer and great grandchildren Oaklyn and Colton. Also survived by his brothers Dave, Alex and Don(Carol) and his massive family of nieces and nephews that Ed loved as though they were his own.
Ed Yakichuk quietly left his mark on this earth. A proud man, with a strong handshake and a stronger hug; Ed passed into "retirement" with his wife Pat holding his hand, as she promised him she would be.