Michael Wesley Gorkoff passed away peacefully on January 28, 2022 and is lovingly survived by his wife of 42 years, Janet Gorkoff and their sons, Kenneth (Jill) and Ward (Krista) and Papa to Aubree, Wesley and Elliott.
Mike was born March 26, 1946 in Kamsack, SK to parents Wesley and Pauline,; joining siblings Walter, Margaret and later Darlene, Linda and Karey. After many years of working, Mike attended the University of Saskatchewan starting in 1971, and in 1975 received his Bachelor of Education degree with a major in Special Education. On the Armstrong Family Farm outside of Star City, Mike and Janet were married in 1979 and later raised their family in Hudson Bay along with long teaching careers.
Mike’s teaching career spanned 1975 to 2005 all within the Hudson Bay School Division starting at Stewart Hawke School until 1993 and then transferred to Hudson Bay Composite High School until his retirement. During his career, he established the Grade 7 extracurricular drama program and chaired three Middle Years Non-Competitive Drama Festivals. At the High School, he started the junior drama program and the Agriculture Is …! Day during 2003 to 2005. Mike enjoyed his coaching career of over 10 years for the senior boys basketball team and started the annual basketball tournament called The Rider Winter Classic. Mike also volunteered his time with the local football team as a sideline official.
Michael also believed that work with the Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation and the local association was very important to being a successful teacher and was involved as an STF councillor from 1987 to 2005. He also served as Secretary for the Saskatchewan Middle Years Association from 1988 to 1993 and as a STF Special Ad Hoc Committee for Subject Councils member.
During his retirement years, Mike enjoyed his puppies, Chip and Peanut. He enjoyed watching tv, the odd fishing trip and completing puzzle books until his residence at Parkland Place in Melfort in January 2021.
Mike will be remembered by his wife, Janet, sons Kenneth (Jill) and Ward (Krista) and grandchildren Aubree, Wesley and Elliott, siblings Walter (Jill), Darlene (Jack) Dop, Linda (Ted) Gardner and Karey, brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard (Cathy) Armstrong, Pat (Penny) Armstrong, Margaret (Delbert) Miller and numerous nieces and nephews. Mike is predeceased by parents, Wes and Pauline Gorkoff and sister Margaret Gorkoff.
At Mike’s request, there will be no funeral held but a celebration of life will take place in the summer.
Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Hudson Bay Health Care Facility, Box 940, Hudson Bay, SK S0E 0Y0.