William Domonkos

1935 - 2009

William (Bill) Domonkos , husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away on May 2, 2009 at home with his family by his side. He had fought a long battle against cancer without ever giving an inch. Bill was born in Willow River, BC in 1935 and lived in Shelley, BC. In 1966 he, his wife Betty, and family settled in Topley Landing, BC where they owned and operated Totem Lodge and Marina for many years. Bill started flying at the age of 25. At Topley landing, Bill established Skeena Air Charters. His love of flying took him to remote corners of Northwest BC, the Yukon and the Arctic. Bill had a deep love and great knowledge of the outdoors. He often flew to surrounding lakes to fish and enjoy the scenery. He had many boating adventures on Babine Lake and loved to end the day with a wiener roast and a beer. Several years ago Bill retired to the Hangar overlooking his beloved Babine Lake. Bill is survived by his wife Betty at Topley Landing, his daughter, Brenda (Wayne) Laramie in Sundre, Alberta and his sons, Allan (Bonnie) in Granisle, BC, Dale (Kim) in Slave Lake, Alberta and Curt (Tracy) in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. Bill's grandchildren are Jos and Jade Laramie, Brad and Carla Domonkos, and Celena and Ben Domonkos. Bill is also survived by brothers, Paul (Irene) Domonkos and Barney (Marlene) Domonkos and sisters, Rose Gaal and Olga Howard, brother-in-law, Allan (Gail) Campbell and sister-in-law, Shirley Gratton. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Pauline Domonkos and his sister, Julia. Bill received wonderful care from the team at Bulkley Valley District Hospital, during his treatment at Cancer Services, and through the Hospital and Palliative Care staff. Thank you to Dr. M. Haskins, Dr. E. Bastian, and Lynn Shervill, for their care and commitment to Bill. A special heartfelt thanks to Barbara Ward-Cox for her extraordinary homecare. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Smithers Community Cancer Services of the Bulkley Valley Palliative Care Program - Home and Community Care, PO Box 370, Smithers, BC, V0J 2N0. Family and friends will gather at a later date to celebrate Bill's life.