November 22, 1942 - September 29, 2022
Dino was born November 22, 1942, in Trail, BC to Sabina and Pietro Zanet, 5 years after his brother Paul. In 1944, the family moved to Castlegar to a small Italian community where Dino grew up in the house on Maple Street next to the Post Office.
He had a happy childhood with many friends & much celebration throughout his life. While in grade 8 at Stanley Humphries, Dino met his future wife, Katie Rilkoff. After spending all their high school years together, Dino went to UVIC to become a teacher and Katie attended nurses training at Royal Jubilee Hospital. They married September 18, 1965 and had their first daughter Dina Michelle in April of 1966.
That same year, Dino and Katie moved to Fernie for his first teaching job. His next teaching position was in Rossland, and 2 years later, he accepted a posting in Castlegar. Their second daughter Katherine Allison was born in April 1971, 5 years after Dina on the same date, April 2nd. After 30+ years of teaching, Dino completed his career as the principal of Kinnaird Elementary.
Dino is remembered as a teacher who made a difference in countless children's lives. Dino's first grandchild, Elijah Dennis Costa (Dina and Dennis) was born in December 1995, followed by Alexa Kate MacAfee (Allison and Dan) in December 2002. Andie Danielle MacAfee (Allison and Dan) completed his family when she was born August 2007. Dino adored these 3 grandchildren & they adored their "Pappy".
Left behind to miss their beloved Dino is wife Katie of 57 years, daughters Dina (Dennis) and Allison (Dan), and his grandchildren Elijah (Mikayla), Alexa and Andie, and so many other loving family members and friends. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations can be made to a program of choice at Kootenay Family Place.
Heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Selena Demenoff for her great care & special thanks to the Oncology nurses and Dr. Kowaluk at KBRH, and the kind caring ladies in the Castlegar Health Centre lab. We are so grateful to the first responders who came to help and showed great compassion when we needed this the most.