William YAKIMISCHAK (1906-1988)
William was born 23 March 1906 at Pleasant Home. He is the son of Jacob Yakimishchak (1857-1937) and Justine Zariche (1859-1940).
On 28 June 1941 in Roland, he married Elizabeth Diaczuk (1913-1983) and they had three children: Myron, Donna Amelia (1946-2009) and Barbara.
He became a school teacher in 1926 and taught for two years at Hampton, Saskatchewan. He left teaching for a brief period and worked for Briggs Auto Body Factory as a Wood Inspector for metal-clad wooden car bodies in Detroit, Michigan. He returned to teaching and taught at the Melnice School in the RM of St Andrews from 1930-1933 before searching for a new challenge in Windsor, Ontario as a metal finisher with Chrysler Corporation. He once again returned to teaching while he built his own Drug Store in Vita.
Pharmacist
William apprenticed in his own Drug Store under the tutelage of E.M. Sigvaldason and F.J. Hays. He attended the University of Manitoba and received his Diploma in Pharmacy in May 1941. After graduating, he returned to Vita and assumed operation of his business with his wife assisting in the pharmacy. He provided services for veterinary medicine to the surrounding municipality. Bill patented and manufactured an Analgesic Ointment which he sold on a mail order basis throughout North America. After operating his business for 38 years, he moved to Winnipeg in 1979 and worked part-time as a Pharmacist, as well as, attending continuing education at the Health Sciences Centre.
Bill was community minded and active in a number of organizations; President of Vita Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Vita School Board, Secretary of Vita and District Hospital Board, and Secretary of Vita Improvement Board. He was involved with Manitoba Ducks Unlimited in establishing a water fowl conservation reserve at Horseshoe Lake. Bill was an avid sportsman and had a great love and respect for nature. He had many hobbies, such as gardening, taxidermy and horticulture, especially in the area of grafting new varieties of fruit trees.
He died at Winnipeg on 14 December 1988 and is buried in the All Saints Cemetery in West St. Paul.
Sources:
- Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 17 December 1988, page 57.
- Engagement, Winnipeg Free Press, 13 June 1941, page 12.
- University of Manitoba 1941 Yearbook, page 144.
- Obituary [Jacob Yakimischak], Winnipeg Free Press, 20 December 1937, page 20.
- Obituary [Elizabeth Yakimischak (nee Diaczuk)], Winnipeg Free Press, 07 June 1983, page 32.
- Obituary [Donna Amelia Yakimischak (Callon Carlton)], Winnipeg Free Press, 17 September 2009, page C10.
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