Peter Pereversoff was born on July 5, 1924 in Grand Forks to parents Ivan and Malasha Pereversoff. Peter was the fifth child in the family of six children, sisters Poly, Florence and Dora and brothers John and Nick. Soon after his birth the family moved from a doukhobor village in the North Fork area to a community that was located not far from Saddle Lake known as the “Upper Village”.
As a youngster Peter received several grades of formal education in the English and Russian language. Living the communal way of life, Peter was given the responsibility of looking after the horses, milking cows and helping in the garden and field work. He also participated in the community youth meetings and enjoyed singing as he was blessed with a beautiful and strong tender voice. He was a valued member of two very popular choirs, the youth choir and men’s choir. These choirs performed in the Grand Forks and Kootenay area, and also made trips to Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as Vancouver and a memorial appearance on CBS TV in Spokane, Washington.
Throughout his life Peter worked several jobs, in the fruit orchards of the Okanagan, at small sawmills in the Kootenay area and several years in th forest industry of the Boundary area. Later he worked for some 20 years for Pope & Talbot until his retirement.
In the 1960’s when the community lands were being sold, Peter and his sister Dora bought some land on the Outlook Roud and build themselves a home. Here they lived together for some 50 years until they both moved to Hardy View Lodge in 2012. With the assistance of home support workers they were able to stay in their own home. Peter was a life long member of the USCC Organization and participated in its various activities wherever he was able to.
On the evening of December 3, 2015 at Hardy View Lodge, Peter peacefully passed away. He was 91 years of age. He was predeceased by his parents Ivan and Malasha Pereversoff, his sisters Polly Makortoff, Florence Poohachoff and Dora Pereversoff and brothers John and Nick. he is survived by his nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Peter was a man of a meek and peaceful character who lived a modest, simple Christian life. His memory will remain with all those that knew him. A funeral service for Peter was held at the USCC Community Centre on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 with Paul Jerry Seminoff officiating. Burial was at the Sion Cementary. Everett and Deborah Baker of the Grand Forks Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.