December 26, 1947 - March 7, 2019
Peter Savinkoff a.k.a Popcorn passed away at the Boundary Hospital with his loving family at his side. Peter John Savinkoff, born December 26, 1947, to parents John and Lucy, and siblings Anne & Johnny. The family lived in Passmore, BC at the time. There, Peter formed lifelong bonds with his cousins, Freddy and Paul Voykin.
In 1956, Peter was forcibly removed from his family home by RCMP, and confined in the New Denver Residential School. Along with over a hundred other Sons Of Freedom Doukhobor children, Peter remained there until 1959 when they were all able to return home to their families and loved ones. Home life was a difficult transition, and got more complicated when the family joined the Sons of Freedom Doukhobor 'Trek' from the West Kootenays to Agassiz, BC. This was 1962, they were to remain in Agassiz for the next 10 years.
In the final days of 1967, Peter met Laura Rilkoff. They married in 1968. Then in 1969 they welcomed their first child, Lunya. A year later son Peter joined them. Another daughter Polya completed the family in 1974. In 2017, while being interviewed for a book, Peter was asked what made him most proud, he easily replied, "My children".
In 1973 the family would move to the Grand Forks area and settle in Gilpin, BC where Peter would spend the remainder of his days.
Peter worked at various jobs throughout the years. Everything from hop field and cannery work to diamond drilling and tree falling. Peter upgraded his education and took an excavating course at one point too.
In 2002, Peter joined the bachelor life and his life forged a new path. To his final days, Peter remained the friendly sort who gathered may friends along the way. He truly enjoyed all those visits and would always be so happy someone had dropped by.
Peter was predeceased by parents John & Lucy Savinkoff, siblings Anne Fominoff&JohnnySavinkoff. Brother-in-lawTimFominoff,hisdearUncle Nick Voykin, and his friend Albert Laramee. He leaves behind: constant furry companion Zena, daughter Lunya (David) Foyle, son Peter (Jessica) Savinkoff, Polya (Bruce) Gagne. Grandchildren: Kalyeena (Alex), Leahland (Heather), Tamara (Kyle), Drake (Tareza) Tatiana, Phoenix, and Nikita. Great Grandchildren: Aiden & Connor. His beloved cats too; Angus, Clinton and Sweetheart.
May Peter rest in eternal peace. Vechnaya Pamyat.