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Mike Taras Arishenkoff passed away peacefully, with his family by his side - at sunset, on July 8, 2011.

A service will be held on Friday, July 15, 2011, at the Grand Forks Funeral Home at 10 a.m. and he will be laid to eternal rest at the UCSS Sion Cemetery.

Born in 1914 in Pelly, Saskatchewan, to Taras and Nastia (Strukoff) Arishenkoff, a Russian immigrant farmer and his wife, Mike was the fifth of six children: Bill Areshinkoff (Grand Forks), Anne Severney (Vancouver), Nick Anest (Vancouver), Tina Markin (Castlegar) and Vera Semenoff (Kamloops), all of whom preceded him to the Pearly Gates.

Mike moved to Grand Forks, B.C., in the early 40s. He met and fell in love with Florence Chursinoff, and they married in 1947. Four children followed: Gloria (Bob) Danish, Donna (Keiron) Jenkinson, Tony (Carlene) Arishenkoff and Marlene (Ezra) Henniger.

Mike worked logging the frontier for several years, then became a journeyman welder and heavy duty mechanic and worked for Grand Forks Sawmill for the remainder of his career. He had a hand in crafting the iron structures that would become local hospitals and community centers.

He was a dedicated family man - loved camping, watching baseball, hockey, boxing, wrestling and curling. He loved to paint and build useful things, loved chocolate and cherished his ketchup. Mike kept busy well into his 97th year. He was a very innovative and resourceful creator of copper jewellery, birdhouses, table, benches and trunks. His cheerful ways and genuine smile brought laughter and happiness to those around him. He will be missed greatly for the joy that he generously gave to his family and friends.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Florence; their children: Gloria, Donna, Tony and Marlene; his seven grandchildren: Jennifer, Baron, Anna, Stephanie, Dee, James and Kristina; great-granddaughter, Brianna; and many nieces and nephews. May he rest in peace.



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