Peter P. Ribotto

Peter P. Ribotto, age 99, a resident of Green Valley since 1981, passed away peacefully at his home on August 2^nd, surrounded by his family.

Peter was born November 17, 1917 in Coalgate, Oklahoma, where his father was a cotton farmer and coal miner.  The family moved to the northern Wisconsin iron mining town of Montreal where his father worked as an iron miner.

Peter graduated from high school in Hurley, Wisconsin and studied mining engineering at what was then known as the Wisconsin Mining School in Platteville.  He went on to the University of Missouri at Rolla where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering in 1939 and an Engineer of Mines degree in 1944.  In 1964 he graduated from the Harvard University Advanced Management Program.

He began his mining career working underground for Phelps-Dodge in Bisbee, Arizona.  After a short spell there, he joined Inland Steel Co. at Ishpeming, Michigan and spent the rest of his working career with Inland. In 1942, at the age of 24, he was named the chief engineer of Inland’s iron mining operations.  In 1959 he was transferred to Canada where he spent 15 years heading up Inland’s operations there.  It was there that he experienced the career achievement of which he was most proud:  engineering and later managing a dredging project larger than that of the Panama Canal.  The enemy was minus 60 degree temperatures, not yellow fever.

In 1974 he was transferred to Virginia, Minnesota where, as Vice-President of Operations, he was in charge of Inland’s iron ore and limestone properties.  He retired to Green Valley in 1981.

Peter was married for 67 years to Win (Geelan), whom he met in Ishpeming, Michigan.  They had four sons, Michael (Donna) of Kakabeka Falls, Ontario, Gregory (Paula) of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Peter L (Carrie) of Bradenton, FL, and Patrick (Meg) of Green Valley.  He had six grandchildren: Andrew, Jeff, Stephen, Hannah, Mary, and William

Peter was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Green Valley.  He joined the Knights of Columbus in Bisbee in 1940 and was a Grand Knight of the Ishpeming, Michigan council in 1943.  He was a long-time secretary of the Friends of the Library in Green Valley.  In addition, he headed a small group of men who volunteered for the Coronado National Forest Service as Hazardous Abandoned Mine Finders.  This group sought out hazardous abandoned mines and posted them, marking a total of some 7000 mines in southern Arizona over a period  of twenty years. Peter was a Legion of Honor member of the Society of Mining Engineers and a professional engineer in the province of Ontario.

Peter was preceded in death by a brother, Joe, and by his wife, Winifred.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him

Services will be held Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley.  Rosary prayer service will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m.  A reception will follow in the Holy Family Center.

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Donald Leduchowski

With heavy hearts the family announce the death of Donald Leduchowski, 67, on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Two days after surgery on a blocked artery, Don suffered a stroke which left him unable to speak and his right side paralyzed. The day he was able to hold and play with his six-month-old grandson Leoric, a blood clot lodged in his lungs. Two days later, he took his last breath.

Don and his twin, Donna, were born in Winnipeg on September 19, 1950. When the twins were six months old, Don’s mother Frances (Pich) joined her husband Peter Leduchowski (Pete the Barber) in Atikokan. Here, the family expanded with the birth of Kathy and Jill.

Atikokan was always home. When he visited his cousins in Winnipeg or travelled, he was always anxious to get back to Atikokan and the bush. He was out “exploring”, fishing, hunting, swimming, water skiing, downhill and cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing whenever possible. To do these activities, Don shovelled the entrance and parking lot to his Dad’s barber shop, delivered newspapers, worked the lift at the ski hill, enjoyed Outers, and spent a summer at Caland Ore where he realized he wasn’t a miner.

Don enjoyed learning. Upon his grade 12 graduation, he became the AV Technician for the Atikokan Board of Education. To become efficient, Don took correspondence courses and participated in as many seminars, etc. as possible. This need to be proficient never left Don. Every new job or interest had him looking for more information. The internet was his best buddy!

In 1975, he started a new career and became a motor vehicle mechanic at Newman’s. During his time here, he married the love of his life, Louise, and became the father of two boys, Michael and Derrick. When Newman’s closed, Don moved to Pluswood where he spent 21 years working his way from board catcher, to dryer operator, to foreman. He spent the last ten years before retirement driving truck: plowing snow in the winter and re-paving the highway in the summer. He truly enjoyed learning new things.

His family was the most important thing in his life. He thoroughly enjoyed interacting with his grandchildren even though they caught more fish than he did! He ensured that his sons, Michael and Derrick, received advice on a regular basis. He also helped them fix their cars and homes. Both boys knew a phone call would result in some helpful suggestions based upon knowledge and practical experience. Helping Jill and Kathy aided the growth of Don’s expertise in these areas.

Don is missed by his wife Louise Leduchowski; his children Michael (Kelly) and Derrick (Sarah); siblings Donna (Fred) Choma, Kathy (Glen) Boyda, and Jill Leduchowski; four intriguing grandchildren: Brianna, Lex, Scarlette, and Leo; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Peter, and his brother Robert.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 7, at 11 am at Riverview United Church in Atikokan.

A truly practical man, Don would ask that if friends desire to make a memorial donation, they do so to the charity of their choice.

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John Adair

It is with deep sadness and loss, the family of John Paul Michael Adair announces his sudden passing on July 3, 2018 in Edmonton. John was born October 8, 1962 in Toronto. He was adopted by the Adair family as a small child, where he became the youngest of eight children. Later in his adulthood, he connected with his birth family and got to know another two siblings.

John spent much of his growing up years in Fort Frances, and had a family of his own in Atikokan, where he lived for 23 years. John had resided in Fort McMurray for 11 years, had 10+ years with KMC Mining and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers. He spent many years as a truck and heavy equipment operator and his early adult career with CNR. John enjoyed adventures on the road, especially driving his motorcycle and exploring Canada.

John is survived by his daughter Morgan and son Grant (Taylor) and grand-daughter due in October, of Thunder Bay; his mother Faith Adair of Fort Frances; siblings Theresa Michiel of Calgary, David (Rhonda) Happy of Atikokan, Merry-Sue Adair-Gill and George (Val) Adair of Winnipeg, Jeri (Dave) of Ridley, Ontario, Kerry Harper and Jesse (Barb) Adair of Fort Frances, Tiffany Lapointe of Ottawa, Andre Lapointe of Thornhill, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. John was predeceased by his sister-in-law Patricia Adair (nee Carragher), mother Patricia Nagy (nee Park), father William Adair, and brother-in-law Richard Harper.

A celebration of life will be held July 28 at the Slovak Legion Solarium, 801 Atlantic Ave. in Thunder Bay at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Northern Cardiac Fund.

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Loraine Tribe

With great sadness and with his family, Doug Tribe announces the passing of the love of his wife, Loraine Audrey, on July 5, 2018 at the age of 80. Loraine left this world peacefully, on her own terms, after living many years managing chronic pain.

Loraine was born August 7, 1937 in Port Arthur to Hjalmar and Ruby Bjerke. On April 5, 1957 she married her charming husband, Doug. Shortly after their marriage they moved to ‘Skunk Hollow’ at Steep Rock where they started their family. She began her career at Steep Rock Iron Mine working on the IBM computers (the first in town). Later in life she was part owner of the Iron Mine restaurant, bar, and bowling alley for many years. She retired after a long career in the finance department of Atikokan General Hospital.

Throughout her life, Loraine enjoyed socializing with her very dear friends and family at their home and at social events around Atikokan and Shebandowan. She took great pride in tending to their backyard oasis with numerous gardens filled with flowers and shrubs and hosting gatherings around the pool. Loraine was always a wonderful host preparing and serving family and guests their favourite goodies. She was very talented and creative, and over the years lovingly knitted, crocheted, and sewed many pieces for her family. She enjoyed listening to music and playing her piano and keyboard, learning to play new and old songs. She continued her interest in computers at home, teaching herself many programs, playing games and puzzles, managing their household, and meticulously editing photographs. She was an avid curler and fan. She played in the ladies and mixed curling leagues for many years. She was a former president of the Atikokan Ladies Curling Club.

Loraine is survived by her doting husband of 61 years, Doug Tribe, her children, Bradley (Brigitte) and Gordon (Melanie), her grandchildren, Lauren (Matt), Philip (Lisa), Patricia (Jeff), Richard, and Robert, and her great grandchildren Mason, Anneliese, Ruby, and baby who is on the way (whom she was very much looking forward to meeting).

She was pre-deceased by her parents, Hjalmer Bjerke and Ruby Bjerke (George Black), her sister, Arline Bull, and her Uncle Ole Bjerkestuen.

A celebration of Loraine’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Atikokan General Hospital or the Arthritis Foundation.

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Marsha Walker

With great sadness the family of Marsha Elaine Walker (née Hyatt) announces her passing at age 66 after a short battle with cancer.

Marsha was born January 9, 1952 in Fort Frances to her parents Marshall and Mona Hyatt. She inherited a great capacity for caring and kindness from both her parents, and from her mother, a love of beautiful flowers and plants, which both women took great pride in cultivating. Marsha was also a lover of books, and enjoyed a wide variety of crafts including quilting, sewing, knitting, and crocheting. The items she created will be treasured for years to come.

Marsha spent much of her life working in areas in which she could share her notable propensity for demonstrating kindness and compassion for others. Her many roles, including at the Atikokan Crisis Center, working with children with special needs as an educational assistant with RRDSB, and as a long-time foster parent, are a testament to her caring nature and desire to help people in any way she could.

Above all else, Marsha’s most cherished responsibility was being a grandma, and in this role, she excelled. She loved her grandchildren with all of her heart and, much like the flowers she tended, her grandchildren are now growing and blossoming into strong, caring, unique individuals who will each pass on the values of compassion, selflessness, and generosity they learned from Marsha. Her devotion and involvement in their lives will be greatly missed, but she will forever be a part of their hearts.

Marsha is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Harvey Walker, her children Jackie (Darwin), Dawn, and Mike (Theresa) and her grandchildren Sydney (AJ), John, Reed, Isaac, Breeann, Oliver, and Beau. Marsha will also be missed by her siblings, Hollister Hyatt and Franklin (Rhonda) Hyatt, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews. Marsha was predeceased by both of her parents, her infant brother Leonard Hyatt and her brother-in-law Johann.

A private family service will be held at Little Falls Cemetery in Atikokan. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Marsha’s name to the Northern Cancer Fund, 980 Oliver Rd., Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6V4 would be greatly appreciated.

 “If there ever comes a day where we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”

~ Winnie the Pooh

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Norman ‘Luke’ Anderson

With heavy hearts, the family announce the sudden, but peaceful, passing of Norman Anderson in the early hours of July 16, 2018.

Norman, a.k.a. Luke, was born in Emo, Ontario in January 1959, to Lloyd and Rosalinda Anderson. The family moved to Atikokan when Norman was a toddler.

Growing up he couldn’t wait to get to work hauling wood. Trucking was his passion in life. This love continued right up to his retirement. He was a hunter as well and enjoyed many expeditions with his friends and family.

Norman’s love for his dogs are a memory we all hold close to our hearts. They were inseparable.

He was a devoted husband to Sheila (Strom) whom he married on November 15, 1980. They raised two children, Crystal and Brent. They were his pride and joy.

Norman had a quiet but strong presence about him. With that good sense of humour he could always be seen with a twinkle in his eye and smirk on his face. With the sudden passing of his son Brent, however, life was never the same.

Norman is survived by his wife Sheila and daughter Crystal; sister Carol (Brian) Cook; in-laws Margreat Anderson, Marie (Frank) Komaransky; Orval (Susan) Strom, Glen (Becky) Strom, Neil (Brenda) Strom, and Lee-Ann (Steve) Belfry; numerous nieces, nephews, and special family friends, all of whom he loved dearly.

In addition to son Brent, Norman was pre-deceased by his parents, sister Roma, brother Terry, and in-laws Everett Strom and Vernon Strom.

As per Norman’s request, no service will be held; a private family interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Norman’s memory to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre renal unit would be appreciated.

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Olive Hache

Olive Hache passed away July 16, 2018, after a brief but strong battle with cancer, with family by her side.

Olive was born July 7, 1927 in Espanola, Ontario. She grew up in Fort Frances, Ontario where in the spring of 1951 met the love of her life, George Hache. They married September 20, 1951 and two moved to Atikokan to live and raise their family.

Olive enjoyed bowling, curling, hunting, fishing, and especially playing cribbage with friends and family. She loved spending her summers at the cabin watching her children, grandchildren, then great grandchildren playing there. Olive was a member of St. Patrick’s Church and CWL where she spent many hours laughing with the ladies while making pies and perogies.

Olive will be lovingly remembered by her children Michelle (Greg) Cain, Cheryl (Randy) Lawson, grandchildren Krystal (Mike) Bain, David (Courtney) Lawson, and great grandchildren Tyler and Brittnee Bain. She was pre-deceased by her parents Beatrice and Xavier Albert, son Gerald (in infancy), husband George, and grandson Travis.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held. Memorial donations to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.

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Robert ‘Bobby’ Davidson

Robert ‘Bobby’ George Davidson passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 24, 2018. He was 81.

Born on March 13, 1937, in Leask, Saskatchewan, Bobby was the first born child of Albert and Doris Davidson. His early childhood was spent in Leask until he was five years old when the family moved to Atikokan, Ontario. Bobby attended Hammarskjold High School in Thunder Bay, worked various jobs, and then went on to graduate from the Forestry Technician Course at Cambrian College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1971.

Bobby met the love of his life and soul mate, Cecilia, and they married January 11, 1962. They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with a romantic movie date in Thunder Bay. Their love for one another was apparent by their actions and the way they looked at one another, forever young. A devoted family man, it brought him great joy to see his family spending time together and over those years many lasting and cherished memories were created. Bobby’s children were his pride, joy, and every purpose in his life; his hard work provided a beautiful life for his children. His grandchildren were the icing on his cake; they were the sparkle in his eye and brought him so much joy. Bobby loved to take his children and grandchildren on adventures, down the tracks, or any adventure involving nature. His love of family extended beyond his immediate family – his siblings, their children, and grandchildren were just as special and dear to him.

Bobby’s love for the forest found him enjoying a career with the Ministry of Nature of Resources for numerous years. His love of boxing, sports, and the competition, brought him into politics. Bobby fought the fight even until his last breath. He always put others needs before his own, especially the underdogs. A selfless giving man, Bobby always took the time to remember people’s names, their stories, and to make them feel special, regardless of their stature. At least four generations of Atikokan children have been fortunate to be a part of his life. The love and support shown to his family during his brief illness was testimony to the number of people, young and old, who’s lives he has touched. The family is so grateful for all the support they received and recognize that they are not alone in their loss and acknowledge the grief that we all are feeling.

Bobby will be deeply missed by his children Jackie Davidson (James), Bridget Davidson, and Jason Davidson (Eartha); his grandchildren Tyler Warren, Michael Warren, Laz Magashazi, Britney Cruz, Jeffery Dawydenko, Emily Atkinson, and Mikayla Davidson; brother James (Nancy) Davidson, sister-in-law Marlene Davidson, numerous nieces and nephews; in-laws Francis (Darlene) Bruyere, Allan (Debra) Bruyere, Harry (Peggy) Bruyere, Gerald Thurier, and Patti (Dan) Fraser.

Bobby was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Cecile, his parents Albert and Doris Davidson, siblings Allan Davidson, Linda Davidson, Peggy and Garvin Moffat, Bruce Davidson, Wally and Shelley Davidson, and nephew Doug Moffat.

A celebration to honour Bobby’s life was held at Quetico Centre on July 13. In memoriam, please plant a tree of your choice, give to a charity of your choice, or reach out to a stranger and have a cup of coffee.

On-line condolences may be made at EverestOfThunderBay.com.

“We’ll meet again someday.” – Bobby Davidson

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Robert Gashinski

The family of Robert ‘Gish’ James Gashinski are devastated and announce his sudden and unexpected passing surrounded by family at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital on Friday, July 13, 2018 at the age of 66.

Robert will be remembered for his unconditional love for his family. He was a professional fire fighter committed to his career with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue. In retirement he took on new adventures such as pursuing fur trapping and joining the Women’s Auxiliary at North McIntyre Recreation Centre as their one and only ‘Perogie Prince’. Through these endeavors he developed deep friendships with an ever-expanding group of loyal friends. Gish had a true gift for connecting with people and could relate all ages. He could not walk by any acquaintance without a warm greeting, a hug and a conversation.

Robert was a true outdoorsman. His hobbies included all season fishing, hunting, and sledding. The simple things gave him pleasure and he took great pride in having a meticulous line of fresh laundry.

Robert was often heard saying his life would be complete with the addition of grandchildren; this wish was fulfilled when he became Papa Gish. He will be so sadly missed by all of us, his family and friends.

Robert will always be remembered by the family he so loved and cherished; wife Janet Jardine, children Jenn Gashinski (John Perry) and James Gashinski, and grandchildren Jaxson and Jakob Perry, Aja-Jane and Hendrix Jardine. He is survived by his brothers Ron (Pat) Gashinski, and Larry Gashinski, the mother of his children, Dianne Bliss, and former sister-in-law, Pauline Tindale.

He was pre-deceased by his parents Joyce (nee: Kennedy) and Clifford Gashinski. He was born and grew up in Atikokan, then made Thunder Bay his home.

A funeral service for Robert was held in Thunder Bay on July 29. On-line condolences may be made at www.SargentAndSon.com.

In lieu of flowers friends may make a donation in Robert’s memory to either Toys for Tots Thunder Bay Professional Firefighters or United Way Thunder Bay.

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