August 4, 1948 - September 17, 2020
Pat was born on August 4th, 1948, in Grand Forks to parents Martha and Alec Horkoff. He was the second of four brothers: Al, Pat, Jerry, Bob. He attended school in Grand Forks, BC, and then Heavy-Duty Mechanical Training in Nelson and Kelowna.
He met the love of his life, Vicky, in Grand Forks, and they were married on October 12th, 1968. They were blessed with two children, Marcus in 1972, and Nadya in 1975. They bought land in the College Road area where they built their family home.
Pat started his long career with Pope & Talbot, Midway, as a Heavy-Duty Mechanic when he was in his early 20's. He was recognised by all in the Boundary Area driving the yellow service truck and even installed an air horn to pull just for the kids standing at the numerous bus stops in the morning. It wasn't long before he was promoted to management as the Mobile Equipment Supervisor. Although Pat retired from Pope & Talbot when he was 58 years old, he spent the next 14 years as busy as ever!
Pat spent his life dedicated to his family and the community. His volunteerism started early on with involvement in his kids' sports activities; he coached his son's baseball team and was manager of the hockey team. He rarely missed one of his daughter's softball games and spent countless hours at the arena for hockey practices, games, and early morning skating practices.
Pat contributed to the community through his committed involvement in many activities: Minor Hockey League Board; 20 years of service as a volunteer ambulance attendant; member of the USCC; Board of Directors of the Sunshine Valley Co-op, Credit Union, Christina Lake Golf Club, Sion Water District; and most recently on the Board of the Sion Cemetery.
Pat and Vicky travelled the world! Their first trip to Hawaii in 1976 sparked a desire for adventure and culture and was followed by countless road-trips, plane-rides and cruises. With the kids and the camper, they travelled through BC and down the Oregon Coast. Longer trips took them to the Southern US, Florida and Mexico.
As a couple, Pat and Vicky ventured to the East Coast of Canada with many stops in Toronto. Alaska, Russia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Central America, Cartagena and the Panama Canal were all highlights on numerous cruises. A month-long tour through Western Europe and the Mediterranean was followed by a second trip to Italy and France and a third trip to Scotland.
Most recently, Pat and Vicky spent the last 12 years as snowbirds in California; two-weeks turned into two months and eventually three months was the norm with the grandkids coming almost every Spring Break to see Baba and Deda in Palm Springs.
Pat suddenly passed from a heart attack as he and Vicky were returning to Grand Forks from Kelowna on Thursday, September 17th, 2020. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Vicky, daughter Nadya and son-in-law Scott Rickard, grandchildren Jonah and Summer, brothers Jerry and Bob Horkoff, and many nieces and nephews. Pat was predeceased by his son Marcus, brother Al, father Alec and mother Martha Horkoff.
Pat Horkoff's larger-than-life spirit will be missed by many. His big grin and hearty laugh will be fondly remembered by everyone who was gifted with knowing him. His most important job in the last 13 years was being a Deda. He took this role seriously and had great pride in sharing his love, knowledge and talent for building, golfing, swimming, cooking, music and the outdoors with Jonah and Summer. They will always think of their Deda as a kind-hearted, generous, strong man who loved life. They loved their Deda tremendously, and his amazing spirit will live on through them in everything they do and become.
Vicky, Nadya, Scott, Jonah and Summer, would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to everyone during this time of sorrow. Thank you for your compassion and support, and your expressions of sympathy through your kind words, visits, cards, flowers, phone calls, emails, food, baking, and donations. A special thank-you to John Sookochoff for supporting Vicky in Kelowna immediately following the accident and tragic passing of Pat. Thank you to the Grand Forks Funeral Home for their professional services. Everyone's sympathy, comfort and help will always be remembered.