28 nelsonstar.com
Friday, June 19, 2015 Nelson Star
Community
Firefighters fêted Monday night was a big one for two Nelson Fire Rescue Service members. Far left, Chief Len MacCharles, Mayor Deb Kozak and fire commissioner Darrell Green presented a 35-year provincial service award to Capt. Gordon Rae (second from the right). Left, MacCharles and Kozak also thanked long time auxiliary firefighter Peter Defeo for his donation of a rapid intervention team kit to the fire department. It’s essential to aiding downed firefighters trapped in rescue situations. Submitted photos
Nick Wasyl Osachoff Sadly the family of Nick Wasyl Osachoff, of Castlegar (formerly of Vallican), wishes to announce his passing, with his loved ones by his side, at Talarico Place Care Centre, on Thursday, May 27, 2015 blessed with 88 years of life.
Obituaries
Nick was born in Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan on June 18, 1926 to parents Polly and Wasyl Osachoff. He grew up on the farm, along with two brothers, and attended school up to grade 8 in Riverhill, Saskatchewan. In 1943, at 17 years of age, Nick got his driver’s license, bought a car, and drove, with his dad, to BC and settled on a farm that his dad bought. He ended up living in Vallican for 64 years. On December 19, 1948, he married the love of his life for 52 years, Nellie Swetlishoff. They lived in an old shack until Nick built their home in 1954. The young couple adopted their son Walter in 1958 and daughter Theresa in 1961. Nick worked for Burns Lumber and the Vallican Pole Yard. In 1956, he was instrumental in starting the valley’s credit union, which he ran out of his home and was also involved in starting up the Slocan Valley Co-op. In 1961, he was asked to manage the co-op for 3 weeks, he did not leave until he retired in 1991 and even went back for a year and a half in 1995. Nick was a well liked and respected active member of the community. He spent many years as president of the Passmore Senior Citizen’s Association. In 2007, Nick moved to Castlegar, where he spent the remainder of his years. Nick loved animals and had many pets over the years. He loved music and enjoyed playing his sax and violin. Nick enjoyed pitching horseshoes, and won trophies in the BC Senior Games, gardening, golf and woodworking. Nick now joins his parents, his wife Nellie, his son Walter, his daughter Teresa Kanigan and his brother John. Nick will be remembered by his four grandchildren Jodi (Keelan) Lightfoot, Scott Osachoff (Amanda Rivet), Jaime (Sean) Massey and Kelly Kanigan (Mike Van Ryn); 7 great-grandchildren Braden, Jordan, Lexi, Morgan, Keegan, Zoey and Melody; brother Fred (Mabel) Osachoff; sister-in-law Fanny Osachoff and an huge circle of extended family and friends. Funeral Services were officiated by Sid Malakoff at Castlegar Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 followed by interment in the Slocan Park Cemetery. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Castlegar Funeral Chapel, officiant Sid Malakoff, the Slocan Park Ladies Cooking Group and the Men’s Digging Group, as well as for the many kind words of sympathy, cards, flowers and donations that were given. The family would also like to thank the staff at Talarico Place and the staff at Castlewood for their care and kindness.
Eugene Eiche
Eugene Eiche passed away April 5 2015 at the age of 80. Eugene was born in Paris, France on May 25, 1934 to a French father and Russian mother. He set his sights on an education in language and after he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship in 1956 he made his way to the University of Iowa, USA where he received his Masters in French literature. This is where he met and later married Mary-lue Condon. They moved to California in 1958 where he received his PHD in French literature at Stanford University and they started their family having a son and daughter. The Canadian dream was realized when he accepted a position as professor in the department of Romance languages at the University of Calgary in 1966. He loved being in nature and pursued time hiking and fishing in the mountains and lakes of B.C and the Rockies. Wanting the full experience he and the family spent their summers at a remote lake in a little log cabin in northern B.C. when the kids where small. After parting ways with his first wife and losing his second wife (Colette du Cheyron) to cancer Eugene took an early retirement in 1991. He travelled extensively abroad concentrating on France and Russia where he searched and then discovered family that he never knew he had. He forged wonderful lifelong relationships that tremendously enriched his life. It was in St Petersburg Russia in 1999 where he first met and five years later married his beloved Tatiana. They returned to Canada in 2004 to his Crawford Bay paradise. Eugene and his devoted wife happily spent the last eleven summers high above the Kootenay lake on their property. Their most frequent visitors were the deer, elk , bears and even cougars that would shortcut through their yard past the giant picture windows. They filled their days by enjoying the beauty of nature and each other’s company. Left to mourn are his wife Tatiana Lukovitskaya , daughter Katy Eiche, Son Greg Aitken (Sarah), adopted daughter Aurellie Mabille, Grandsons Nick and Riley Aitken, Ex-wife Mary-lue Whitcher and many relatives and friends in Canada, US, France and Russia.
Captain W.M. (Tony) Taylor
Tony was born and raised in Sunshine Bay, B.C. at the family farm, Tanglewood, on Jan. 30, 1936. His schooling included the Vernon Preparatory School for Boys, Procter Superior School, and St. George’s Academy in Vancouver. Tony’s love of the boats and the lakes was cemented in him when he obtained a summer job as a deckhand on the SS Minto during his later school years. He worked on many different vessels: SS Minto, SS Moyie, SS Granthall, MV Balfour, MV Anscombe, plus tugs, long range tow boats, barges, etc. on the Arrow and Kootenay Lakes. In 1961 he obtained his Marine Masters Ticket. In l963 and 1964 he was hired by the Federal Government as Captain on the Icebreaker/Survey Ship, Hugh A Young on the Mackenzie River from Hay River to Tuktoyuktuk, a distance of 1600 miles. In 1965 he was hired by the City of Calgary to oversee the construction of the SS Moyie II which was to operate as a Tourist Attraction on the Glenmore Reservior. He made the test trial and inaugural runs on this vessel. Tony tried his hand at a number of career choices, including the Air Force (where he played goalie on the hockey team), and the RCMP (where his trumpet playing found him in the RCMP Band). However, the water and boats remained his choice and he returned to the Kootenays. In 1971, Tony settled into a permanent position on the MV Anscomb as Mate/Relief Skipper. In 1978 he received his Captain posting, and in1986 he became Senior Skipper/ Administrator, retiring in this position in l992. Working on the Arrow Dam (Keenleyside) in the late 60’s gave Tony the opportunity to take up another passion, flying. He received his Private Pilot’s License in 1969. Tony and his wife, Linda, have lived at their Kootenay Lake home since 1978. Fishing, Curling, Golfing, RV Travel, trips North and South, have all been part of a happy retirement, along with the many large and small dogs that were part of the family over the many years. Tony will be remembered for his friendly smile, his love of life and his loyalty to his friends and family. So many people were involved in helping Tony during the past 15 months of illness. We felt so fortunate to have such wonderful teams in the Nelson Area. Tony was predeceased by his father, Duncan, his mother, Rachel and his brother, Cleland. He is survived by his brother, Walter ( Jean ) of Richmond, B.C. and his wife, Linda, of Balfour. A Huge Thank You to: Dr. Malpass (Annette, Cheryl, Juanita, Kelly and Karen) Dr Cochrane (Dianne, Frances, Olga ) Team 1 Nurses at the Gordon Road Wellness Centre Homecare Nurses and Careworkers Pharmacist Andrew Hoffert (People Pharmacy) Third Floor Nurses, Student Nurses and Caregivers A Heartfelt Thank you to the many friends and relatives who came to visit (some from many miles away). He enjoyed every visit, but especially those of his ‘old’ buddies from the Procter area. A Special Thanks to our neighbours, Dan Macdonald and Norm Wagner. ( You plowed us out in winter, rebuilt the “China Wall” in Spring, and were always available in time of need). To Donna and Serge Leukov. You kept us supplied with Borscht, brought much laughter and fond rembrances during your many visits, and were always there when needed. To my Brother, Ced and to Trudi, you have done so many wonderful things over the past year!! You are truly loved and appreciated. And finally, to Tony, for being such a good patient, making it possible for him to remain at home until the final few days of his life. He is remembered with much love! “Sail on, Captain”.