Vlase William Bakamus

Vlase William BAKAMUS Vlase William Bakamus passed away at his home on April 21, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Renton, Washington on July 13, 1921, he later graduated from Issaquah High School with great pride in his Greek heritage. After working on the family farm from a young age, he played semi- professional baseball for the Spokane Indians. Vlase married his wonderful wife, Rae Maxine Castagno, then soon moved to Morton, Washington, where they resided for 35 years. He became a partner of Marenakos Logging Company and later owned and operated the Morton Crushing Company. After working at Lakeside Industries, he retired a second time at the age of 85 years. He was known by everyone for his incredible hard work ethic and dry sense of humor. His passion was operating heavy equipment, which included grading various roads throughout the Northwest and in his spare time, he operated a dump truck. No job was too challenging for this Cat Skinner! He joined the Morton Masonic Lodge, Afifi Shriners of Tacoma, and was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Vlase considered his family his greatest treasure. He leaves behind his wife, Rae, to whom he was married 64 years. He was a wonderful father to Jean Sackmann, (Lou) who preceded him in death, Janice Bede (Brew) and Bill Bakamus (Cathy). He will be sorely missed by his eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Services to celebrate Vlase's life will be held on Monday, May 2 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on 2100 Boyer Avenue East, Seattle, WA. A luncheon will be served in the church hall following the funeral service. Remembrances may be sent to Swedish Medical Center Foundation/Cancer Institute.