Obituary of Michael Kotyk

KOTYK, Michael (1923-2013) †" Our beloved father, Michael, left us peacefully on March 23, 2013 after a long life filled with courage, honour, love and dedication to his family. Michael was the beloved father of Cathy, Rachel Delaney (Brian), Lucy Carpenter, Peter, Gregory and Paul and the cherished grandfather of Michael, Laura, Rachel, Corey, Kyle and Lauren. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Gwen and Olga and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his most beloved wife Laura, brothers Bill and Walter, sister Olga and her husband Bill Sinclair , and daughter-in- law Sandra (February 2013). He was the first born of Peter and Domilia Kotyk in Fort William, Ontario. At the tender age of eighteen he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force to serve his country in WWII. His tour as a tail gunner, took him to Egypt, and India and flew many sorties over Japan. He was awarded the Burma Star for his bravery. Upon returning to Canada in northern Ontario, he met and married the true love of his life, Laura, finally settling in St.Catharines in 1953 to raise their six children. After being expropriated from their Read Rd farm, the Kotyk family moved to Niagara St which remained their family home for 47 years. Michael spent 32 years as a millwright at Domtar Fine Papers until his retirement in 1981. His love of fishing and the outdoors led him to serve as a scout master for many years. He was a voracious reader and avid bridge player, but his greatest passion other than Laura and the children, was his gardening. For many years he played an executive role in the Lily Society of Ontario and the St.Catharines Horticultural Society. His hybrid lilies and tree peonies won numerous accolades and awards. Many gardeners in Niagara and southern Ontario pay tribute to him to this day, as the plants they bought (or were mostly given) at †œMike†™s Annual Plant Sale†� on the front lawn of the family home on Niagara St, continue to bloom. We wish to thank Dad†™s extended family at Niagara Gardens for their care and love in the last three years. Family will receive friends at GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street on Monday, April 1st from 2-4p.m. and 6:30-8:30p.m. A Celebration of Michael †˜s life will be held in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday, April 2nd at 11:00 am. In honour of our Dad, donations may be made to: St.Catharines Horticultural Society for the beautification of our city.