Michael John Pestotnik

He was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia (Yugoslavia) on May the 8th, 1949. He lived there with his mother Darinka Pestotnik until they immigrated to Canada (Toronto) at a young age. He never knew or met his father. He was raised in a strong Catholic upbringing. He did well in school, completing his education up to Grade 13. Sometime after that, he drove a Van to BC and landed on Quadra Island. He and a few others purchased land there. He secured a loan based on his education level and his ability to gain employment. He left there with many wild tales in tow. He secured a job at the Tahsis sawmill where he was working when he met my Mother. They fell in love quickly and had me in August of 1981. They separated 4 years later. He dedicated his entire life to raising me and caring for me to the utmost extent. Everything he did, he did for me. In later years, he attended BCIT and obtained all of his Saw filing tickets. A true master of the trade. He worked there until the mill shut down, moving on to Gibsons and finally Campbell River before he was forced to retire early due to lack of work. He finally moved to Courtenay to be close to me again. Shortly after, at the young age of 63, he suffered a massive stroke that took away his speech & physical abilities yet he never lost his sense of humour or love for me. He was my caregiver, protector, provider and best friend. He has been cared for by the staff at the Comox Valley Seniors Village for nearly 10 years. Virtually a celebrity there. With me by his side, Michael slipped away into dreamland and eventually passed away on June 11th, 2022. Thank you to those who were there for him and I during this heartbreaking time. The many FaceTime calls to send love to him and say goodbye…he lives on in me and his Grandson Cruz. Soaring high in the sky with the beautiful Bald Eagles he loved and admired.

Love you forever Daddy,

Lara Lee