Services Scheduled For Michael Bezezekoff Sr.

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Friday, 19 January 2024 13:32

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Michael Bezezekoff Sr.

Longtime Sitkan Michael Bezezekoff Sr. passed away January 15, 2024, in the Seattle, Washington, area, surrounded by family. He was 88.
Born Jan. 18, 1935, Mike was Unangan (Aleut) from Nikolski, on Umnak Island; his Unangan name is Qahngux (kelp). He was one of the last fluent Unangax speaking elders from the Aleutians.
During World War II his village of Nikolski was one of many villages evacuated to Southeast Alaska. His village was taken to Ward Lake outside of Ketchikan. It was a difficult time for everyone.
Mike graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe boarding school in 1955. He married Emily (Williams) of Hoonah. She passed away on July 13, 2013, after 58 years of marriage.
Together, Mike and Emily raised four children. Mike worked at the Mt. Edgecumbe High School cafeteria for years as a cook – he was known as Mr. B. He later transferred to Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital cafeteria, now known as SEARHC, where he retired three times because he was missed by many and he missed working.
He was always whistling or singing and smiling. He enjoyed making people laugh, loved to walk. Was always eager to learn and read anything, he took some college classes, he had a natural gift to play some instruments by ear.
Other interests he had were commercial fishing and traveling at a whim. He loved to go to the Seattle area, Hoonah and Anchorage to visit family and friends. When COVID hit he lived in Hoonah with family for a short while, then lived with family in the Seattle area, from 2020 to the present.
Mike was a true Mt. Edgecumbe alumnus, rarely missing a basketball game. He was known as Grandpa “B” and wife Emily was known as Grandma “B”.      
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Steven Bezezekoff from Nikolski; mother, Fedora (Dora) Bezezekoff (Larionof), originally from Kodiak; wife Emily (Williams) Bezezekoff from Hoonah; sisters Pauline Dushkin (Val), and Catherine Bezezekoff; brothers Fred, Mike, Frankie and George; daughter Eunice, who was 2 weeks old; and granddaughter Theresa See.
He is survived by his children, Michael Bezezekoff Jr., Darlene Bezezekoff See (Dave), Cathleen Bezezekoff, and Steven Bezezekoff (Donna); grandchildren Norman Bezezekoff, Natalya Bezezekoff (Eric), Damien Lamar, Fairicy Del Cid (Fernando); and great-grandchildren Ariana, Karver, James, Nikolas, Lena, Kylie, Corbin.
Also surviving are nephews John Bezezekoff and David Dushkin; and numerous other nephews and nieces.
“Our Dad, uncle, grandfather, great- grandfather, friend will be greatly missed,” his family said.
Condolences may be sent to: Natalya Bezezekoff c/o P.O. Box 253 Hoonah, Ak. 99829
Funeral services will be at noon Jan. 20, at St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral. Burial will be at the Orthodox Cemetery directly after the service.
A community meal will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi tribal community house. Everyone is welcome.

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