It is with heavy hearts that the family announces his passing on Friday, October 4th, 2024, at the age of 93 years. Beloved father of Marianne Lyte (Gary). Proud grandfather of Bob Lyte (Casey), Megan Riggi (Phil) and Michael Lyte (Samantha) and great grandfather of Keaton, Grayson, Frances, Charlotte, Wesley, Louis, and Austin. David will be sadly missed by his brothers Alex (Evelyn) and Don (Carole) and was predeceased by his brother Ed (Pat), and sisters Ollie, and Hattie. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Special thanks to a devoted friend Leonie Bilyk and her family.
The family is most grateful for the staff and his immediate care givers in the Allandale Village of IOOF seniors home for the care and compassion they gave Dave.
Dave was a man of many hats, started out in farming in his hometown Canora, Saskatchewan and then moved into policing in Ontario. He started his career as a motorcycle policeman and was the creator of the Elmer, the Safety Elephant program during the 70’s/80’s in schools eventually retiring as Staff Sargent with the Peel Regional Police Department. Bored at retirement, he started the installation of windows and doors, jack of all trades jobs to keep busy.
He had a passion for people, loved to tell stories, learn, and listen. He will be missed.
A small family service has taken place with Cremation and burial. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Peaceful Transition.
Condolences messages or memories of David can be left for the family at www.peacefultransition.ca
Jon and Marg Gow
Posted on: Sunday, October 20, 2024Dear Gary and Family:
Although Jon and I never knew your father-in-law we would like to offer our condolences to all the family. We have known you for over 30+ years Gary and know that this is a difficult time for the family.
Keep the memories close to your hearts. They will help you through the days. weeks and months to come.
We believe there there is another guardian angel watching over each of you.
Gone, but not forgotten.
Jon and Marg Gow
Joan
Posted on: Sunday, October 20, 2024I did not know Dave Yakiwchuk, however, I was very impressed with the story of his life. The reason I am writing this is because my grandmother, Maria Yakiwchuk, came to Canada in the late 1800s as a child four years of age. Her family lived in Saskatchewan in the Hafford area. My father was the only one of seven boys and one girl to move east. He spoke Ukrainian until he went to public school where he learned to speak English. My grandmother never spoke English until she moved from the farm into Hafford and watched television. Unfortunately, since my mother was not Ukrainian, we never knew how to speak the language. No one in the family seems to know anything about my grandmother’s relatives but I don’t think it is a common surname. Who knows, we may be related way back. Please accept my condolences as it is very hard to lose a family member.
Stephen Phillips
Posted on: Sunday, October 20, 2024Staff Sergeant Dave Yakichuk was a member of the Peel Regional Police for 31 years. His service focused mostly on educating children about traffic safety and “Elmer’s Safety Rules”. He was a legend to school aged children in Mississauga and Peel for the countless appearances he made in classrooms teaching safety and organizing bike rodeos. He received many commendations and awards during his career.
When Peel Regional Police brought a talking police car to schools, the overwhelming choice for the name was “Yak-A-Chuk”, after Sergeant Dave Yakichuk. He is the only Peel officer to have a City of Mississauga Park named after him.
Dave is fondly remembered by his may police co-workers and friends.
Stephen Phillips
Posted on: Sunday, October 20, 2024Dave meeting Rick Hansen on his “Man in Motion World Tour” in Mississauga.
Stephen Phillips
Posted on: Sunday, October 20, 2024A young Dave Yakichuk, then a member of the Township of Toronto Police, teaching traffic safety to school children in 1959.
Stephen Phillips
Posted on: Sunday, October 20, 2024Constable Dave Yakichuk, then a member of the Township of Toronto Police, teaching traffic safety to young school children in 1959.
Heather Platt
Posted on: Monday, October 21, 2024I am saddened to learn of the death of Sergeant Yakichuk. My very sincere condolences to the family.
During my 24 year tenure with Peel Regional Police from 1974, I had the good fortune to chat with Sergeant Yakichuk on many occasions. We often talked about family and Dave (rightly or wrongly) gave me three toy vehicles for my
young son that he personally used during his school educational sessions. I believed them to be surplus to requirements! ! My son is now 51 years old and still treasures them.
He is remembered as a down to earth, kind gentleman.
Peel Regional Police Retirees Association
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of the Peel Regional Police Retirees Association, our deepest condolences on the passing of Dave. I personally have had the pleasure of speaking with Dave many times over the years when he was active and on the go and also while he was confined to a bed. Despite all of it, he always had a smile on his face and a joke or a story to tell. I will miss that deep voice and infectious laugh of his.
He may be gone, but he will not be forgotten.
Wayne Omardeen, President
Bill Sholdice
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024Dave was a gentle giant of a man. I remember Dave teaching the wisdom of Elmer in our public school.Used to chase us kids around in Applewood Acres for doing dumb things. When he caught you spoke with kindness and a positive attitude. Ironic that I joined the Toronto Twp. Police in 1966 and worked with Dave. He will be truly missed. Sympathies to all of his family.
Joe David Mlacak
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024Truly one of the great Peel Police Officers
Jacqueline (Jackie) Robinson
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024I remember Dave from back in 1957 when I was a civilian with Metro Toronto Police and he was with Traffic then.
Years went by, and in 1976 I was hired by Peel Regional Police where I discovered Dave was also employed, once again with Traffic.
He was always friendly and encouraging whenever we bumped into each other on occasion, and he was a nice man all around. He will be missed. Sincere condolences to the family.
Jackie Robinson, Retired, Ident.
Kathryn Jenkinson
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024I well remember “Constable Yakiwchuk” from my days as an elementary school student in Peel Region during the ’50s and early ’60s. He was a bright spot in our school lives with Elmer the Safety Elephant whenever he came to visit. As a current resident of Barrie, I had no idea what had happened to Constable Yakiwchuk until seeing his obituary. It sounds like he lived a long and fulfilling life and I am very happy to know that. He certainly knew how to connect with all the “little” people, who remember him and his message to this day. My condolences to his family and friends for this loss.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Robinson
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024I first met Dave in 1957 when we were with Metro Toronto Police; I was a civilian and he was an officer in Traffic.
Many years later I was hired by Peel Regional Police and was re-acquainted with Dave who was also with Peel in Traffic.
He was always pleasant and smiling and he will be missed. Deepest Condolences to his family.
Jackie Robinson, Retired-Ident.
Jill Archer
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024I met Dave while we were both on Peel Regional Police. He was an absolute legend. He always had a smile and that deep laugh was contagious. He blazed new trails in the policing community and will forever be remembered as a kind and dedicated professional. Deepest condolences to Dave’s family and friends.
Al Gorrill
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024I, like many, first knew Sergeant Yakichuk when he came to Springfield Public School in the early 60’s teaching traffic safety and introducing Elmer the Safety Elephant. He was a big man and a Policeman and you were in awe of him and listened to what he taught. Years went by and in 1979 I joined Peel Regional Police. Sergeant Yakichuk was still there and so was Elmer. Nothing but respect for this man, and for what he accomplished, and what he stood for. RIP Staff.
Neil Masson
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024Being in uniform for most of my career, Dave and I crossed paths quite often. Just as Jill Archer stated , he was a legend and in all the years I knew him I never heard anything but compliments. He will be missed but his memory will not.
Jennifer Evans
Posted on: Tuesday, October 22, 2024I worked with Dave at 22 Division when I first started as a cadet. He was the Sergeant in Traffic Services. He was a true gentleman. Such a kind man who always made time for everyone. He visited Peel Officers many times after he retired and always had great words of advice to give. He will be missed.
Alf Thomas
Posted on: Wednesday, October 23, 2024Look left, then right, then over your shoulder, before crossing the road. That was one of Elmer’s safety rules that Constable Yakiwchuk taught us in the late Fifties, during his annual presentations at Lakeview Park Public School. I was afraid and in awe of this big guy that walked past my desk only a few feet from me. I think he was a factor in my pursuing a career in policing. When I joined the Toronto township Police, I soon discovered that I needn’t have been afraid. He was a gentle, friendly guy. I’m thankful for his visits to my school and for getting to know him on the department. I still look both ways and over my shoulder before crossing a road or parking lot.
Randy Brack
Posted on: Wednesday, October 23, 2024Dave Yakichuk visited our grade four class at Clifton Public School in Cooksville in the late 60’s. Fast forward to July 1980 I’m a rookie cop at the old 11 Division, Dave drops into the station. SSgt Bill Brooks said that I looked like a younger version of Dave Yakichuk, I earned the YAKI nickname.
I’d see Dave many times over the years, we’d chuckle over my nickname, and he’d tell me stories. Dave knew my mother from church and her brothers from old Port Credit. We always had plenty to talk about.
After Dave retired he would call the station and he’d update me on what he was doing to keep busy. After I retired I saw Dave at the association building and I updated him on what I was doing to keep busy.
Dave was a proud police officer, he was a legend, my condolences to his family, RIP YAKI.
John Dixon
Posted on: Thursday, October 24, 2024I attended Applewood Public school in the 60’s. I remember him very well. Elmer, the talking car and I can still hear Dave’s distinct deep voice in my head. Such a great influence in our young lives!
Michael Ambrosio
Posted on: Thursday, October 24, 2024I have known David for over fifty years and although he had a gruff and commanding appearance, which probably was determined more by his stature then his kindness. David wasn’t only a supervisor for his fellow officers he was a friend, willing to give you a helping hand when you needed one. David was a kind, understanding, and respectful soul and will be sorely missed along with his dry sense of humor. Dave, May God grant you ever lasting peace my friend.
My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
Carlo Franzoi Diamond Transmission
Posted on: Wednesday, October 30, 2024My Condolences goes out to the family and all his friends. We met Dave many years ago when we did his Transmission in his White Dodge Van we got So close that he went on to meet my hole family and all my friends, it was so funny to find out that he lived around the corner from me at Keele and Wilson where I am still here. Dave took me to his Cottage where we did some work up in Bancroft he loved the Italian Cooking but most of all loved the home made Wine. He loved coming by the Shop just to hang around with the boys ( Giulio and Rino). Dave from Me Carlo The Diamond Family we give the Family and Friends our deepest condolences Dave you will be dearly missed you were a brother to us. May you Rest in Peace. Loved you Always. 🙏❤️🙏 R.I.P.