Obituary of Emil Plaskonos

PLASKONOS, Emil (1923 - 2013) - Passed away peacefully in his 90th year, on January 9, 2013 surrounded by his loving family at Welland County General Hospital. Married to his devoted wife of 67 years Anne, he enjoyed a full life that included great-grand children, 40 years at Ferranti-Packard and a retirement that saw the couple travel to the many faraway places they wished to see after a lifetime of hard work. Originally immigrating to Canada from then Western Ukraine (present day Poland) at the age of eight Emil's family moved to Timmins, Ontario before finally resettling in St. Catharines for the rest of his life. After finishing high school, he entered the Canadian Army during World War II serving with the Victoria Rifles of Canada, before being invalided out during training. Returning home to St. Catharines he met the young lady who was to become his life mate of many years and change him forever. He once said, "My life started when I met you." of Anne, whom he met at 21 years of age. After a brief engagement, they were married, and moved to a house on Currie Street where they saw the birth of their only child Karen. During this time Emil started his many years of devoted service at Packard Electric, and eventually Ferranti-Packard. He used his meticulous nature to become a Quality Control Inspector of the companies main product, electrical transformers. Eventually retiring in 1987 after 46 years of work, he joined Anne in a well deserved retirement that featured travelling and tending to family. Over the years Emil became a grandfather to three boys, and years later a great grandfather to two girls. Their retirement was made more cheerful by the addition of Bentley, their faithful Schnauzer. A keen gardener and handyman, he and Anne enhanced their north end home on Preston Drive to become a welcoming place for both friends and family for over 48 years in the neighborhood. Emil was also a parishioner of St. Alfred's Church since it's beginning, serving as an usher in his later years there. Eventually, the couple relocated to Lookout Ridge in Fonthill to enjoy worry free living in their later years, until Emil's passing. Emil is survived by his wife Anne, as well as his daughter Karen Lee and her husband James, his grandsons Gregory (Carie), Andrew (Katrine) and David (Tara). Also, his great-grand daughters Shannon and Nora. He is also survived by his younger brother Walter (Twyla), niece Gayle and nephew Dean, cousin Jean Haven, nieces Kathy and Darlene of Clark, New Jersey, USA. The family will receive visitors at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Sunday, January 13th from 7-9p.m. Vigil Prayers will take place on Sunday at 8p.m. in the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Alfred's Church on Monday, January 14th at 11a.m. Rite of Committal at Victoria Lawn Cemetery to follow. Memorial donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.