It is with heartbreak and the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Yaris “Chunky” Kohut. Yaris left us to join his beloved and much missed wife Joy (Howson), his parents Jacob and Teklia, 7 siblings Fred, Mike, Margaret, Mary, Pauline, Rosie and Boh and many extended family members and friends who are all welcoming him with open arms in Heaven. Yaris passed peacefully on January 17 at Vision Nursing Home, among family and the many wonderful nurses, PSW’s and staff members who became like family providing loving care and friendship to their Chunky. Yaris was a dedicated and loving husband to his best friend Joy who passed in May 2019, an amazing, doting, supportive and fun father to Darcy and Shelley and father-in-law to Cathy Dunham and Gerry Stefanatos, a cherished Grandpa Chunky to Ashley and Arley Kohut and Lexi and Lara Stefanatos, and proud Great-Grandpa to Lenox and Stevie Joy. He also enjoyed the many good times spent with his nieces and nephews. Over the past 2 years, Yaris was especially blessed with very special caregivers who he adored and who brought him so much joy and happiness. Samantha Clarke, Kait Fithern, Denise Gagnon and Lorrie Greenshields we will be forever grateful for the care and love you provided. You were Dad’s angels who had such a significant and positive impact on his last years. Yaris was born to Ukrainian immigrants Jacob and Teklia in Whitkow Saskatchewan in 1934 and moved to Point Edward with his siblings when he was a young boy. Yaris spent most of his work career at Polymer, starting as a labourer and then working as a lab technician until he retired in 1991. Yaris was an accomplished athlete, and excelled at fastball. Like his wife Joy, “Yancey” as his team mates would call him, was an excellent pitcher, but also an asset to his teams in many other positions. He played competitively on the same team as his son Darcy into his late forties, together winning an Ontario Championship. A feat he had achieved numerous times in his younger days. The team joke or mystery was that he was issued the number 44 on his jersey, the coach speculating this was his age, when indeed he was years older than that. No one ever figured out his real age then, or for many more years. This always brought that sly grin to his face and filled him with pride. He was a handsome, sharp dressed man, looking and acting much younger than his age well into his 80’s. Yaris was also a skilled golfer, with a handicap low of 5 at 58 years of age and always amazing everyone with his very long drives. Some of his best years, especially post retirement, were spent at the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club playing daily rounds with his gang of friends or with his favourite golf buddy, Joy. In addition to being the best husband and father and a great athlete and sportsman, Yaris will always be remembered as a fierce competitor (he could never really just play anything for fun), an animated conversationalist who loved to initiate a good argument, a warm and welcoming friend who had a drink in your hand before you knew it and a refill before you were ready for it, a great host at the many Kohut infamous garage parties, a hard worker who took great pride in his well manicured lawn and garden and a master breakfast chef, who loved to make his famous scrambled eggs, tomato soup and pancakes for Joy, his kids and his grandchildren. Yaris’s greatest legacy was the example he set for his children and grandchildren as well as everyone who was close to him at the time with the incredibly patient, compassionate, gentle and loving care he provided to Joy during her 5 year struggle with dementia and until the moment she passed away. His commitment to our Mom’s care was truly extraordinary and inspiring.
Dad, may you Rest In Peace. You were the best Dad ever! We can see the huge smile on your face and twinkle in your eye when you are re-united with Mom. Please give her one of your big warm hugs from us. Have lots of fun together up there, your enduring love for each other and constant laughter together is something we will remember most.
Forever in our hearts,
We love you more than the world,
Shelley and Darcy
Cremation has taken place and a private service was held for close family. As there is not the opportunity to gather together and reminisce about all of the great times we shared with Chunky we ask that you please take a moment to post your memories, stories, pictures and condolences online at www.smithfuneralhome.ca.
In lieu of flowers, sympathy may be expressed through donations to Alzheimer Society Sarnia-Lambton (cheques only at the funeral home please). Arrangements entrusted to SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 1576 London Line, Sarnia.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Yaris “Chunky Kohut August 5th 1934 January 17th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sarnia, Province: Ontario