Mike Antifaoff was born on July 15th 1921 in a Doukhobor community of Kamsack Saskatchewan to parents Fred and Dora Antifaoff. Dora’s maiden name was Cheveldeaoff.
Mike was the fourth child of their family of six children – brothers Bill and Fred and sisters – Pauline, Ann and Betty.
Mike had a limited English education, which he received in a school in Kelvington Saskatchewan. The Russian language he learned from within the family and the community, basically at that time people of the Doukhobor faith only spoke Russian.
In his younger years, Mike worked on their family farm and also for other farmers in the area. Working with horses he prepared the land for grain sowing, which included ploughing cutting, harrowing and sowing. In the fall, after the combine work was finished he gathered grain Sheaf’s and participated with others at threshing time. In those days many people throughout Saskatchewan were gathering, Herbs, Seneca Root, which they sold to stores and which in turn, were re-sold to customers for medical purposes. Mike, being a young lad, recalled quite vividly, taking part with others gathering this herb.
In the mid thirties, like many other Doukhobor families, they moved to British Columbia, to Grand Forks and settled in the area of Ruckle Addition. Mike, in his teen years worked in the Fruit Orchards of the Okanagan Valley. In his leisure time he loved to play Baseball. In the late sixties, Mike met Mary Argotoff. In 1969 they were united in marriage and their life together began in the area of Ruckle Addition.
Their family consisted of six children. From a previous marriage, Mike had two sons – Micheal and Wayne and a step daughter Audrey. Mary had three children, two daughters, Elsie, Grace and one son Harold. All their children were treated as their very own.
Mike throughout his life worked on several different jobs; in the Kootenay area on the Waneta Dam, on the bridge in Kelowna, and in the last 24 years, he worked for Public Freightways delivering merchandise in the Grand Forks and Boundary area.
When he reached the age of 65, he went into retirement. Every year, together with his wife Mary, they grew a garden and Mike being a handyman looked after the home and yard. In their leisure time they loved travelling, they visited several Canadian Provinces and Western American states.
Mike was a member of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ and together with Mary participated in its activities and Funerals.
In his elder years Mike’s health started to decline and over time deteriorated considerably, suffering complications and pain, but still being able to live on their own.
Some six months ago Mike and Mary moved to the Silver kettle Residence, where on Wednesday morning, April 3 2013, with his family by his side, Mike peacefully passed away. He was 91 years of age.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, father Fred 1936, mother Dora 1962, brothers Bill 1970 and Fred 1997, sisters Betty Hoodicoff 1993, Annie Relkoff 2002 and Pauline Messenger 2003. He is survived by his wife Mary with whom he lived for 44 years, his children – Micheal with wife Laurel Antifaoff from Oakville Ontario. Wayne with his wife Susan Antifaoff of Vancouver and Audrey Baker from Vancouver.
Harold Argotoff from Nanaimo B.C, Elsie Carmen from Penticton, Grace and Gaston Parkin from Castlegar.
9 grand children – Patrica and Micheal Antifaoff, Nicole with husband Mike Lacoste, Cindy and husband Steve Donald , Don Parkin, Holly Parkin, Sheri and husband Gary McPherson, Erin with husband Karie Daniels, Robert Argatoff with partner Kayla, ten great grand children, Kiska, Evan,, Reanna,Tyler, Chelsi, (Annia), Kate, Donavon, Tegan and Gracie and one Great Great granddaughter Cally along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Mike was a gentle Father and Grandfather and a hardworking person. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family, relatives and friends.
A Funeral Service will be was held Monday April 08, 2013 at the USCC Community Center Grand Forks BC with burial following at the Sion Cemetery Grand Forks, BC. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Everett Baker of Grand Forks Funeral home.
May God accept his soul into Heavenly Abode, and may he rest in peace.
Those who may wish to make a donation in Mike’s memory, may do so to the Iskra Publication.