David SHPIRKO

David Shpirko November 01, 1924 - May 13, 2005 Funeral arrangements by Jenkens Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre Mr. David Shpirko, aged 80 years, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, after a long illness at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, on Friday, May 13, 2005. David was born in the home of his maternal grandparents John and Helena Jarva in Schreiber, Ontario on November 1, 1924 and as a young child he moved with his parents Daniel Shpirko and Salme Jarva to Fort William. Many people retain fond memories of the May Street store and barbershop that were his family’s business for many years. David attended high school at F.W.C.I. and was an outstanding rugby player. He became a wireless mechanic with the Royal Canadian Air Force and served on the west coast. David became employed with Cochrane-Dunlop Hardware Ltd. and was appointed Manager of the branch serving North Western Ontario. He was a respected businessman who took great pride in serving our local industries. David married Shirley Keith on August 10, 1951 and they had two daughters, Debra and Allyson. Their 53 year marriage has been a model of devotion, love and respect. They took great pleasure in family and community life and in relationships with many treasured close friends. David belonged to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. He was an avid curler and golfer and both he and Shirley belonged to the Fort William Country Club for many years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, a committed and proud attendant at annual Remembrance Day ceremonies and was immensely proud of his country. He read widely, taking a keen and intellectual interest in many subjects. He was a story teller – always regaling us with stories about events that happened in his youth. He built his own family home. David loved to travel and exposed his family to many interesting and broad experiences. He contributed generously to charities and interests of his choice and was open to the world and to people. David was kind, intelligent and compassionate. Mr. Shpirko is survived by his wife Shirley Shpirko, daughters Debbie Bennett and Allyson Shpirko, granddaughter Lindsay Bennett of Hamilton as well as nieces and nephews. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to Rev. Bert Vancook, Dr. Paul Watson, Anne Ross, Laura Devereaux and the many nurses on 2A and in hemodialysis and the physio and occupational therapists. Your skillful and compassionate care let us have our husband, father, grandfather and friend with us a while longer. You will be remembered in our hearts always. To Dr. Hargadon and the nurses and therapists of St. Joseph’s and to the V.O.N.’s, Shopper’s Home Health Care staff and the ambulance paramedics, thank you for all you did for David and for our family. Funeral services for Mr. Shpirko will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (across from City Hall) on Friday, May 20, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery and reception at the Valhalla Inn to follow. We invite donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. You will be so missed dad, yet you have enriched your family and the world about you in so many ways, and this will be everlasting. JENKENS FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & RECEPTION CEN