Obituary for Raymond “Ray” Albert (Yaskevich) York
Ray, age 87, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan and was born on December 22, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to Adam Yaskevich/Zackewich and Victoria Sisko/Szyszko.
After graduating high school, Ray went on to further his studies in art, and mechanical drawing, eventually leading to a career as an Illustrator with the Ford Motor Company. He served in the U.S. Army, and was his companies’ “Sharp Shooter”. Ray used his artistic talents to paint a mural on the camp’s mess hall cafeteria wall. In this mural Ray hid nude women in the background forest theme. When the base commander saw it, he issued a special pass which allowed Ray to move the head of the chow line at any time. Yes, it was a different time back then…
After his stint in the army, Ray used his V.A. Benefits to obtain a pilot’s license for single engine land, single engine sea plane, as well as a helicopter rating. Handsome, suave, debonair, built his own hifi stereo, kept his cool under extreme pressure situations, and drove the coolest cars…Hot rumor has it that Ian Flemming interviewed Mr. York to create the character James Bond. As Ray neared his retirement from Fords, he and a couple co-workers obtained a citrus orchard in Pharr Texas. It was there where Ray built his "Gentleman Farmer” winter weather retirement ranch house.
Ray is survived by his younger sister, Dolores "Dodie" A. Yaskevich; and 14 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Mary, Andrew, Josie, Victoria, John, Rose, and Helen.
A special thank you to those at Home Watch and Ann Arbor Hospice, who helped Ray battle prostate cancer which eventually won out.
After graduating high school, Ray went on to further his studies in art, and mechanical drawing, eventually leading to a career as an Illustrator with the Ford Motor Company. He served in the U.S. Army, and was his companies’ “Sharp Shooter”. Ray used his artistic talents to paint a mural on the camp’s mess hall cafeteria wall. In this mural Ray hid nude women in the background forest theme. When the base commander saw it, he issued a special pass which allowed Ray to move the head of the chow line at any time. Yes, it was a different time back then…
After his stint in the army, Ray used his V.A. Benefits to obtain a pilot’s license for single engine land, single engine sea plane, as well as a helicopter rating. Handsome, suave, debonair, built his own hifi stereo, kept his cool under extreme pressure situations, and drove the coolest cars…Hot rumor has it that Ian Flemming interviewed Mr. York to create the character James Bond. As Ray neared his retirement from Fords, he and a couple co-workers obtained a citrus orchard in Pharr Texas. It was there where Ray built his "Gentleman Farmer” winter weather retirement ranch house.
Ray is survived by his younger sister, Dolores "Dodie" A. Yaskevich; and 14 nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Mary, Andrew, Josie, Victoria, John, Rose, and Helen.
A special thank you to those at Home Watch and Ann Arbor Hospice, who helped Ray battle prostate cancer which eventually won out.