JOE BLASKAVITCH

Joe Blaskavitch grew up in Barry’s Bay with siblings Marie, Larry and Stanley and parents Rose and Frank Blaskavitch. He loved the area so much that when he and his wife Louise married, they built a family cottage on Carson Lake, where he would take his girls Deb, Lisa and Lori.

They were always grateful to have a hospital nearby.

“Although Dad was lucky enough not to need the services of the St. Francis Memorial Hospital, his family and friends did,” Lori said.

As the years passed, Joe and Louise made the decision to sell the family cottage that they owned for 48 years. Louise passed away at home in August 2020 at the age of 78. Joe passed away four months later at the Grand River Hospital in Kitchener at the age of 87.

As one of his final gifts to his beloved Barry’s Bay, Joe left a gift in his will to the Foundation, to be directed to St. Francis Memorial Hospital.

“Dad loved Barry’s Bay and wanted to give back to his hometown,” Lori said. “He included a donation in his will to St. Francis Valley Healthcare Foundation which was gifted after his passing in December 2020.”

Creating a gift in your will for local healthcare is the simplest way to create a legacy of everlasting care. Legacy gifts provide vital, stable support for the work of our healthcare teams and whether your estate is large or small, you can make a difference for so many patients and families in our communities and provide quality care for years to come.

For more information, visit www.sfvhfoundation.com or call 613-756-3045 ext. 217.