Fred Peter Chernoff was born to Peter and Anna Chernoff in the Chernoff village at Veregin, Saskatchewn, on March 29, 1923, the first born of five children.
He left the family home at the age of 18 to seek employment in the Okanagan orchards of British Columbia. Soon after he met Elizabeth Dergousoff and they married on November 30, 1944. Fred constructed a home in the Almond Gardens area of Grand Forks and their family grew with the birth of three daughters: Betty, Gloria and Terry.
Fred’s strong work ethic and need to provide for his growing family meant that in addition to sometimes taking carpentry jobs out of town, he and Elizabeth planted an orchard and grew carrots for seed and potatoes for market. In addition to his skill in fine carpentry and cabinetry, Fred also had a natural talent for all things mechanical. This talent led to employment at the local sawmill where he worked his way up to Head Millwright. He remained at this job for 36 years, until his retirement at the age of 63.
Fred and Elizabeth continued to live in their family home in Almond Gardens until 1993, when serious health issues showed him the wisdom of downsizing. They moved to Triangle Gardens, where with the help of his sons-in-law, Fred made a comfortable home for himself and his wife, ensuring that he would still have a garden to grow and a work shop to tinker in.
In 2008, Fred’s health began to decline. He suffered a second heart attack on the morning of July 25, 2010, and passed away peacefully on July 26, 2010, surrounded by his wife, his three daughters and son-in-law, Tony.
He was predeceased by his parents, one son-in-law, two infant grandsons and three brothers-in-law. Fred is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 65 years; daughters: Betty (John) Sapriken and Gloria (Walter) Zoobkoff, both of Castlegar and Terry (Tony) Chursinoff of Grand Forks; six grandchildren and their spouses, nine great-grandchildren; brother, Peter (Dorothy) Chernoff; sisters: Mable Faminoff and Lynn Semenoff of Grand Forks and Anne (Nick) Negreiff of South Slocan; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
A prayer and funeral service was held on Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the USCC Centre with Fay Malins officiating. The Grand Forks Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements and interment was at the USCC Cemetery.