June 15, 1937 - May 12, 2019
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we say farewell to John Malloff - a dear husband, father and grandfather.
John was born in Grand Forks in the Doukhobor Village of Osadka (colorfully nicknamed Boukanovka) to John and Pauline Malloff. Life in the Village, is how John referred to his youth, which involved many fascinating adventures.
John was a student of Fructova School and graduated from what was then called the Grand Forks High School. John had a flare for art, drama and woodwork. He loved music, dogs, horses and was a very colorful and dynamic baseball player!
After high school, John followed his passion for baseball and horses and ventured to every ball diamond and horse racing track throughout North America, Mexico, the West Indies and the Caribbean. Come spring, he would return home to earn money for his next adventure and to play baseball.
In 1966 he met the "love of his life" Margaret Zebroff, whom he married two years later. John and Maggie moved to Vancouver, where John continued his education and became a Woodwork teacher at Sutherland Secondary School. Shortly after, they were blessed with two children; a daughter Kolina and a son Kolya. Both cherishing their heritage; they relocated to Grand Forks in 1978, so their children could know their grandparents and experience their culture.
Changing vocations, John became the Building Inspector for the Kootenay Boundary Regional District. He was elected as a School Board Trustee for District No. 51 where he achieved honorable recognition for his 28 years of service.
Fructova School was always dear to his heart. Along with his brother Steve, they were instrumental in resurrecting Fructova School to the heritage site it is today.
John, being a masterful story-teller and having an aptitude for history (especially local history) was often called upon to share his knowledge. He loved being with family and friends, creating many great adventures for all, be it skiing, rafting, hiking, swimming, dancing, Friendship Choir, Sunday School or children's sporting events. Always full of surprises - it was John who introduced Maggie to Yoga 50 years ago and encouraged her to become an instructor.
They were blessed with 2 grandchildren, to which John would respond, "My life is now complete!" He was gregarious, artistic, hardworking and a loving man who was cherished by his family.
John is pre-deceased by his parents John & Pauline and his brothers Steve and Peter (in infancy). He is survived by wife Maggie, children Kolina and Kolya, grandchildren Alexei and Anastasia and his "best dog ever" Bruno.
From the bottom of our hearts we express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Lewis, Dr. Coleshill, Home Support, Day Care, all Boundary Hospital staff, Hardy View Lodge and the Kootenay Boundary Hospital for all the care provided to John during the last few years of his life. As John would say, "Thank you, thank you and thank you!"
Funeral Services will be Friday, May 24, 2019 at the USCC Centre at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to "Iskra" publication through the USCC office.