Damir Golik

Damir "Peter" Golik, of Fresno, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2009, after a courageous battle with metastatic melanoma. Surrounded by his loving family and friends, Peter left the imperfect bonds of earth to touch the face of God. Born on March 27, 1948, in Valera, Venezuela, Peter was the second child of Ivan and Luisa Golik. There, he became neighbors with the Jebian family, and met his wife Imelda. The two families developed a lifelong friendship that has spanned more than 50 years and two continents. It was there that he began his life-long love of exercise at the age of 15, and became a record setting national champion power lifter. In time both the Jebian and Golik families immigrated to the United States and settled in Fresno. Peter studied industrial engineering at the University of Carabobo, and then business administration at California State University, Fresno. Peter was a devoted husband and loving father of three beautiful daughters. Peter loved a great meal, a good football game, fishing, and was a fantastic dancer. A 40 year parishioner at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, Peter will be deeply missed and loved forever by the family he leaves behind. The family thanks Dr. Monson, and Dr. Haseeb for their wonderful care of Peter, and special thanks to Dr. Tom and Mary Kay Hackett for her loving, constant presence and care for Peter and his family. Peter was preceded in death by his father Ivan. He is survived by Imelda Jebian Golik, his wife of 37 years; daughter and son-in-law Dr. Lisa Golik and Tonyefa Oyake; daughter and son-in-law Danika and Anthony Stefanich; and daughter Gabriella Golik. He is also survived by his mother Luisa Golik; sister, Luisa Russo, her husband Maurizio; nephew Giorgio Russo and family; niece Ersilia Lacaze and her husband Michael; brother and sister-in-law, Davor and Dawn Golik, and family. Peter also leaves behind his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Paul and Anna Jebian; brother-in-law, Tony Jebian, and his wife Theresa, and their children; sister and brother-in-law, Drs. Kathy and Travis Whitehead, and their children. He is also survived by members of the George Jebian Family. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made in Peter's name to the Society for Melanoma Research, www.societymelanomaresearch.org. FAREWELL 660 W. Locust Avenue Fresno (559) 440-0484 www.farewell.com