Yellowknife (Jun 30/06) - Friends and family describe Ponchit Santos as a pillar of Yellowknife's community. He died on Father's Day, June 18.

In one of many tributes to Ponchit, his uncle Adrian Delfino wrote that: "If I were asked to describe Ponchit in just two words I'd simply say a Gentle Soul.

Ponchit Santos and his wife Nene at a wedding reception on June 10. It was the last photo taken before he died. - photos courtesy of Lou Rankin

The eulogy was ready by Ponchit Santos' son, Anthony.

Delfino referred to Ponchit Santos as "pure as the pristine waters of Matang Tubig in Canlubang," a comparison to a location in Santos' home country, the Philippines. He was born there Sept. 13, 1939.

He is survived by his wife, Nene Santos, mother, Engracia Santos, sister Belinda Ramos (Antonio), daughter Lourdes Rankin (Doug), son Anthony Santos (Jodie), and grandchildren Victoria and Mitchel Rankin, who all reside in Yellowknife.

His wife Nene's greatest memory of him is ballroom dancing, particularly the cha-cha.

Rankin's son Mitchel fondly refers to his grandfather, as his best friend. He particularly remembers how they used to play and do everything together.

Santos was an active member of the Yellowknife community - he was a member of St John ambulance, and spent a great deal of time teaching first aid throughout the North. He was Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

"For as long as I can remember, he was always involved in different committees," said Lou Rankin, Santos' daughter.

"He truly lived the motto Unity, Charity, Foundation of the Knights of Columbus, " said Larry Purcka, District Deputy for the Knights of Columbus.

His daughter, Rankin, said that she remembers when he joined St. John's ambulance.

"He was so happy to get his first aid certificate.

"He went around teaching it, even when he was retired."

Santos lived in Yellowknife for 28 years, since he immigrated from the Philippines.

He was proud to be a resident and everywhere he went, he was an ambassador for the city.

"Wherever he went he spoke highly of the great happenings here in Yellowknife," said Lito Reyes, Master of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus.

"How he loved this city, the ever promising future of this city...he was the city's unofficial ambassador extraordinaire."

His funeral, on June 25 was overflowing mourners, who crowded into the aisle, the balcony and even out into the foyer of the church.