Anthony Vaska

Aug 25, 1948 -

Sep 29, 2021

In the early evening of Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, Anthony passed away peacefully in his wife's arms at the Mat-Su Regional Hospital. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rosie and William Vaska.

He was born to Rosie and William on Aug. 25, 1948, in Kalskag, Alaska.

Anthony is survived by his wife, Viola; sisters, Clara, Francine, Judy and Beverly; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

He served the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, attended graduate school earning a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Stanford in 1973. He returned home to Alaska and worked as a state representative from 1981 to 1984. He went on to work for Nunam Kitlutsisti as Assistant Director, the University of California Berkeley as an instructor and the Yup'ik Language Center of Kuskokwim Community College as the Director. He was awarded the lifetime achievement award for the Democratic Party of Alaska. He will be remembered as an honorable Alaska State Representative and kind man who always had a gentle smile for his friends and family.

His wife and family are honored that the American flag will fly at half-staff for him on the State of Alaska holiday "Indigenous Peoples Day." He fully supported and advocated for the Indigenous Tribes across the state of Alaska, Lower 48 states and internationally.

He met his wife Viola at the local University of Alaska Anchorage, Native Student Services Potluck where many met and found a home away from home.

He left a huge imprint on the state of Alaska and will be missed by many.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at St. Anthony's Church. Viewing will be held at 1 p.m., and Funeral Mass will follow at 2 p.m. Potluck at 5:30 p.m. at the Coast International Inn.