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August 13, 1927 - July 16, 2020
On Thursday, July 16, 2020, Fred A Horkoff passed away peacefully at Hardy View Lodge with his wife Mary by his side. He was one month shy of his 93rd birthday.
Born August 13,1927, Fred was raised and lived his whole life in Grand Forks ,BC.
He grew up in the Horkoff Village on Spencer Hill where he was nurtured and protected by the comfort of village life and the kind care of relatives after the tragic death of his mother when he was six. He acquired the love of farming as he helped with growing crops, tending orchards and working in the fields. He helped raising milk cows, working with horses, haying, communal gardening and bee keeping. The Horkoff family were bee keepers in Russia for three generations, and Fred, first generation Canadian, carried on the family tradition proudly.
Fred attended school at Fructova completing his formal schooling at grade 6. He mastered fluency in two languages, competently reading, writing and speaking both Russian and English. In his adult years, Fred pursued continuing education through night school, completing courses in math, first aid and driver training.
During the summers in his teenage years, Fred worked at various local farms and in the Okanagan orchards in Oliver and Kaleden. In late fall, he returned to Spencer Hill where he helped with harvest and wood gathering winter preparations in the village.
It was during one summer in Kaleden where his first met Mary Esakin and on December 14, 1947, Fred and Mary were married in their hometown of Grand Forks, a union that spanned over 72 years. Soon they started a family, a daughter Nanette born in Penticton, followed by daughter Marilyn, son Jim and daughter Elaine, all born in Grand Forks, BC.
Fred began his logging industry career in 1950, first working for Sherbinin Ingram Creek Sawmill, then Boundary Sawmill in Midway. After working long days on heavy equipment such as heel booms, loaders and le Tourneau log haulers, Fred would return home and help tend gardens and hayfields, milk the cows and tend to the bee hives. He always taught and encouraged his children to help with the chores, inspiring by example towards a good work ethic.
On weekends the family would drive out to their Christina Lake beach spot for some quiet family time, visiting with friends and constantly improving the property where they eventually built a lovely cottage the family enjoys to this day.
As the children grew up, married and moved away, Fred and Mary spent many weekends visiting Mackenzie and the Kootenays, always sharing their bountiful harvest of produce, apples and other fruits from the orchard and of course, honey.
In the mid 70s, Fred and Mary built their second home among the newly planted orchard at the foot of Spencer Hill overlooking the Sunshine Valley. As the orchard matured, and the gardens flourished, it became an onerous task to maintain, especially at harvest time.
So, after Fred retired from Pope and Talbot in 1987 after a long career in the forest industry, they decided to relocate once again and built their third home on a smaller property on the Kettle River, close to the USCC Center. They lived happily on the river for the next 18 years until health issues had them move to the Silver Kettle Independent Living complex.
Fred was well known in the valley for his volunteer work in the community, pruning trees, assisting with chores others couldn't manage and doing his share of caretaking duties at the USCC and community residence.
Fred was a lifelong member of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ. He supported the organization by serving many years as a trustee, member of the executive committee and SION cemetery board. Together with Mary, they sang in choirs and were dedicated members of the Grand Forks Psalmists.
Fred was a founding member of the Fructova School Heritage Society, which was instrumental in the preservation of this historical landmark. He was a member of the SION Volunteer Fire Department and was an elected board member of the Boundary Hospital Society for 4 years. Fred was also a dedicated board member of the Sunshine Valley Co-operative Society for 18 years.
Fred and Mary loved when their family visited and spent many summer days enjoying visits at the lake. Fred was proud of his grandchildren, attending their concerts and sports activities. He especially loved watching his grandchildren embrace the rich Doukhobor culture, and was proud of their participation in Sunday school, playschool events and festival performances.
Fred and Mary enjoyed travels that took them to the Hawaiian Islands, California and along with friends Mabel and John Faminoff, exploring parts of Mexico and Cuba. Their trips also included a most memorable one to Russia which included a visit to Yasnaya Polyana and a tour of the Maritimes and Newfoundland.
Fred is survived by his loving wife Mary of 72 years, his children Nan (Robert) Fredericks of Mackenzie, Marilyn (Michael) Strukoff of Grand Forks, Jim (Sharon) Horkoff of Nelson, and Elaine (Ken) Kalesnikoff of Thrums BC, his grandchildren Dayna and Darren Fredericks, Nicolai (Jenn) Strukoff, Tolek (Megan) Strukoff, Krystle (Griffin) Seed, Christopher (Tasha) Kalesnikoff, Misha (Ali) Horkoff, Carlin (Alli) Horkoff and great grandchildren, Carter, Kade and Emmry Kalesnikoff, Kalayna and Grayson Seed and Lincoln Strukoff.
The family expresses sincerest thanks to the singers and psalmists who attended the small, private service, Bill and Liz Pepin for their guidance and support, J.J. Verigin for his comforting words, Nina Decaire, Beth Novokshonoff and the USCC staff, the grave diggers for preparing his final resting place at the Sion Cemetery and everyone who wished Fred well on his journey home.
We thank Dr. Lewis and those staff members of Hardy View Lodge who took the time to give loving and compassionate care to Fred. Our sincerest thanks to Grand Forks Funeral Home for their kind, professional service and assistance.
We wish his soul eternal peace and joy in God's heavenly kingdom. His memory will live on in our hearts forever.
For those who wish to honor Fred's life, donations to Iskra will be gratefully accepted at the USCC.


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