NIKIFORUK, DR. Gordon - 1922 - 2019 After a long life, Dr. Gordon Nikiforuk died on July 22, 2019, at the astounding age of 96 years.
The shape and condition of teeth occupied Nikiforuk the way car engines enthralled other men.
Teaching, academia and dental research defined his life and took him far from his pioneer Ukranian home on Canadian prairie near the Battlefords in Cree country.
He was the sixth of nine children born on the farm in Redfield, Saskatchewan. He shared a bed and farm chores with his siblings. He described piles of straw and wood in the yard as among "the best toys" ever invented.
As a child, he trekked two miles every morning to attend the Dominion school.
The Ukranian Voice and Western Producer helped him practice his reading skills. The farm never captured Gordon's attention, but academia did. After finishing his pre-dental training in Saskatchewan, he transferred to the Big Smoke in Toronto.
In the 1960s, he played an active role in the debate about adding fluoride to Toronto's water supplies.
After surviving a heart attack last month, he died of complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was grateful for the life he lived and especially the warm care he received at Houses of Providence.
His grandchildren Stephen, Eric, Aidan, Keegan and Torin wish him well in the afterlife or what grandpa called "the spiritual realm." His surviving siblings, Alice, Ray and Yaris along with many nephews and nieces will miss him. His sons, Andrew and Chris, are just relieved.
A celebration of life will be held at Toronto's Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Thursday, July 25th at the east gate entrance. Visitation: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Service: 12:30 p.m. with gathering to follow.
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