August 4, 1924 - March 9, 2020
Peter Chernoff, born August 4, 1924, in Verigin, Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2020 with his daughters Fay Malins and Irene Walker by his side. He was the second eldest of five children: older brother Fred; sisters Mabel, Lillian and Anne.
After moving to BC in 1943, he eventually met and married Dorothy Strukoff in December of 1947. They established a four-acre hobby farm where they lived for 50 years, raising their three children Steve, Fay and Irene. During that time he made a living as a carpenter, a career that lasted for over forty years, including time spent working for Bill Pepin, who became a life-long friend.
Aside from carpentry, he and Dorothy worked the farm, including a large garden, a small orchard and, Dorothy's favourites - flowers, including the most beautiful dahlias and gladiolas. Peter was happiest when working the garden beside Dorothy.
Peter contributed much to the community as a carpenter in the Kootenay and Boundary regions including: schools; commercial buildings; the Grand Forks Doctor's Clinic and Gyro Health Centre; along with many houses. Typically, because of his enquiring nature, he spent a stint working at Mica Dam in 1967 to, "see how a dam was built." He took pride in overseeing the reconstruction of the USCC Community Centre and building the Sirotskoye residence. Over the years he also helped with improvement projects to USCC community buildings. He was a lifetime member of the USCC and served on several committees.
Although mainly a carpenter, Peter was a jack-of-all-trades: welding, blacksmithing, and concrete work. His trades turned into hobbies, the latest being woodturning in which he created many beautiful pieces for his family and friends. He was also blessed with a beautiful singing voice and produced his own CDs.
One of his greatest joys was the arrival of his granddaughter, Sara, in 1980. Deda took great pleasure in spending as much time as he could with her, watching her ski, at piano recitals, school concerts, softball games and more. Adding to his greater joy was the birth of two great grandsons, Bryce in 2005, and Jaeden in 2006. Sara's family eventually moved back to Grand Forks where he was able to often see his great grandsons.
Peter was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy and his son, Steve; also by his parents, Pete and Annie Chernoff; his in-laws, Sam and Tina Strukoff; his brother Fred and his wife Elizabeth; his sister Mabel and her husband John Faminoff; his sister Lynne and her husband George Semenoff; his nephew Gerald Semenoff; his brother in-law Nick and his wife Annie Strukoff; his sister in-law Mary Soukoroff; and his niece Natalie Soukoroff.
Left to mourn his loss are daughter Fay and John Malins, with their daughter Sara and Paul Findlater, and great grandsons Bryce and Jaeden, all of Grand Forks; daughter Irene and Jim Walker of Victoria and daughters Kathleen Murphy, husband Douglas and their three children, Paul, Justin and Amy of Winnipeg; and Eva and Gerry Teed of Yellowknife; daughter in-law, Rita Chernoff of Sheho, Saskatchewan; sister Anne and Nick Negreiff of South Slocan; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Peter's family would like to express our sincerest thanks to everyone that attended the service at the Grand Forks USCC Community Centre on Friday, March 13, 2020; the psalmists and singers for your wonderful renditions; relatives and friends who travelled from near and far to the service; our relatives, friends and neighbours for your comforting words and thoughts, food, visits, cards and flowers. Thank you to JJ for your kind, comforting words and support. Thank you to Larry Jmaiff for your guidance and support and for officiating the service. Thank you to Bill and Liz Pepin for your guidance and friendship; the ladies cooking group for preparing the delicious lunch in memory of Peter, and to the grave diggers for preparing his final resting place at Sion Cemetery.
We especially thank Dr. Szynkaruk and the staff at Ivy House for the exceptional, loving, compassionate care that Peter received. Our sincerest thanks to Deborah, Everett and Aaron Baker of Grand Forks Funeral Home for your kind, professional service and assistance.
We love and miss you dear Dad, Deda, and old Deda, but we know you are in a happier place with Mom, Steve and the rest of your family. May God accept your soul into His Heavenly Kingdom, and may you rest in peace.