It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Mike Kanatski, on the evening of Thursday, July 21 st, 2011 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre, surrounded by the love of his Daughter, Son-in-Law and dear family friend by his side. He was reunited with his brothers and sisters; John, Pauline, Mary, Tony, Casmir, Helen, Ed and Peter and Step-Son, Jim Blake, and other family members.
Mike was born May 25th, 1925 to Frances and John Kanatski in Brokenhead, Manitoba. At the tender age of 10, he moved from the family farm with his older sister Mary, and her husband, Steve Kozier to seek employment in the Dryden area. He was never afraid of hard work and spent many years loading and unloading cord wood by hand for different individuals in the area, and finally for Dryden Paper Mill. During his employment with Dryden Paper, he also worked on the tugboats, drove tandem trucks, eventually becoming a heavy equipment and crane operator. He constructed many of the old logging roads we travel down today, noting that Dryden Paper served up the best camp meals. Many a year, Mike was called upon to operate a dozer during fire season. He was employed at Dryden Paper for 30 plus years until he retired in 1988.
In 1960, Mike met Doreen Blake and settled down with her and her two children; Colleen and Jim. In 1980, Mike and Doreen finally tied the knot in Las Vegas. Spending time with family and friends was always important to him. Mike was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, snow machining, four wheeling and gardening. He loved to share stories about the many trophy moose, deer and fish he caught and took pride in sharing his produce with family, neighbours and friends. Physically, he was a powerful man, even until his last breath. He was a teaser and loved to laugh and share a good joke. Mike loved to recall stories of his younger years and all the colorful individuals he met and worked with during his life time. In August, 2010 he found great joy and pride in finally uniting with his biological Daughter, Tammy Anderson and her husband, Bill. Until his last day, they shared quality time establishing a loving Father/Daughter relationship, celebrating many happy occasions.
Mike will be sadly missed by his wife, Doreen (Princess Court, Dryden), Step-Daughter, Colleen Blake (Barrie, Ont.), Daughter, Tammy (Bill) Anderson (Dryden) and one Brother, Stan Kanutski (Beausejour, Man.), numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews as well as dear friends, Candy and Brad Elyk and Linda and Mike Lough. Dad, we love you and miss you. You will be in our hearts forever and we shall Thank You for our time together.
There was no Visitation as cremation has taken place.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 29, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home’s Chapel with Pastor Velma Henderson officiating.
Interment to be at a later date.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to The Heart & Stroke Foundation or Canadian Diabetes Association through the Dryden Community Funeral Home249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
