Written by Toni Lavigne-Conway | Special to the Valley Gazette
The recent passing of Sylvester “Doc” Yantha has left a deep void among family, friends, and the community, but his legacy remains as vibrant as ever.
Born on September 25th, 1945 to parents August and Martha Yantha, he grew up in their home on Paugh Lake Road in Barry’s Bay, the third of four siblings: Ed, Tony, and Doreen (Deanie).
As the story goes, when he was a young lad, Sylvester would go to the rink and sit behind the players’ bench to watch his older brothers play. If anyone got hurt, he would run out with the medical bag, and so they started calling him “Doc” – and the name stuck.
Growing up two years older than Doc, Tony says he was like his right-hand man, always looking out for him. “He was more than my brother; he was my best friend.” They both loved sports, whether watching or playing. “We played lots of hockey, shinny on the ponds that we’d have to clear off and ball between the lumber yards up where St. John Bosco is today.”
He chuckled when we recalled a story about Doc as a young boy, taking his two-year-old sister Deanie for a ride in the little red wagon uptown to the Palubiski’s store. “He walked back home but he left our sister there. Mom was in a real panic to find her. I don’t know what he was thinking.”
Their strong bond continued throughout their lives, and Tony was happy when Doc decided to return home in 1974 to share in the family business.
Tony describes his brother as a real go-getter who always worked hard and had a great sense of humour. “We always laughed about the time we were in Toronto at a Nestlé distributor convention, and Doc was getting an award for being the best ice cream salesman in Renfrew County. When he walked up to the stage to get his award, he said, ‘You know, I don’t think I deserve this award. But then again, I have arthritis, and I don’t deserve that either!’”
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