Obituary

Oliver Conrad Yanco passed away Saturday, December 1, 2012. He was 97, born March 10, 1915 in Everett, MA to Adam and Anna (Razus) Yanco, and has been a resident of Bellingham since 1953.

Mr. Yanco served five years of active duty in the U.S. Army from Dec. 27, 1940 to Dec. 12, 1945. He was an Officer in the 5th Infantry Division which was used as the spearhead of General Pattons Third Army. Mr. Yanco was the recipient of five campaign ribbons and was also awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star medal.

In civilian life, Mr. Yanco was a master furrier. He and his brother Allan owned the Northwestern Fur Shop in Bellingham until retirement. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Bellingham Golf and Country Club for many years. Since childhood, Oliver had a great interest in philately. Mr. Yanco was past president of the Bellingham Stamp Club, and a member of the coordinating committee for the philatelic events held at the Worlds Fair in Seattle in 1962.

He enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Birchwood Garden Club, the American Rose Society, and the Rose Hybridizers Association. His large rose garden won several trophies and prizes. His expertise and knowledge of rose culture and hybridizing was sought by many and freely shared.

Mr. Yanco was a very active member of the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library, a lover of books and a voracious reader. Oliver was a Studebaker fan from early adulthood. He was a member of the Bellingham Studebaker Club and Avanti Owners Association. In 2001 he replaced his 1963 Avanti with a 2001 Avanti.

Mr. Yanco is survived by his daughter Stephanie Ballew; sister-in-law Jeanne Yanco; grandchildren, Edward J. Mayo and wife Jennifer, Margery Brown and husband Gregory; 7 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Interment will be in West Roxbury, MA on the site of the historic Brook Farm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library, P. O. Box 1197, Bellingham, WA 98227.

Please share memories online at www.farewelltributes.com

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Farewell Tribute Information

Interment will be Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at 1 PM, at The Gardens at Gethsemane in West Roxbury, MA, on the site of the historic Brook Farm. Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library, P. O. Box 1197, Bellingham, WA 98227.