May 25, 1947 - August 10, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edward Strelive of Nelson BC. Edward passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at the Kootenay Lake Hospital on August 10, 2019.
Ed was born on May 25, 1947 to Pete and Mary Strelive of Glade. His childhood was spent with family and friends fishing, biking, playing ball and of course meeting at the local store for an evening social of singing, food and laughter. Education was important to Ed and he attended Russian school in Glade as well as public school in Tarrys and graduating from Stanley Humphries Secondary School in Castlegar in 1968.
Ed moved from Glade to Nelson where he became manager with the Wood Vallance Hardware Store at their warehouse. It was in Nelson where Ed met the love of his life, Marlene Verigin. Marlene and Ed married on September 5, 1970 and soon after they settled in Glade in their newly built home. Their family grew with the birth of their two daughters, Angie and Melanie. They were so proud to be parents. The girls grew up in Glade surrounded by the love of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and many childhood friends similar to how Ed was raised.
In 1972, Ed joined Kalesnikoff Lumber Company where he worked as a log loader operator and finally a log scaler. Ed retired from the mill in 2015. Ed enjoyed being busy and loved socializing, so when an opportunity arose he began to work part-time for the BC Government mail delivery service. He had an outgoing personality and he was a great fit for the job. He retired from this job in the spring of 2019.
"Fortunate is the family in whose midst god dwells wherein hearts filled with love beat as one towards common goals and aspirations" This Doukhobor statement speaks of the importance of family and God and when his wife, Marlene, passed away at a young age in 1986 he relied on both is family and God to help him through this trying time. As tough as it was, Ed was successful in raising his two strong, intelligent and thoughtful daughters who in turn, were able to take care of him during his time of need. Ed was a loving and supportive father to Angie and Melanie and deda to his four grandchildren Olivia, Alexis, Emma and Nathan.
In the summer of 2006 it was fate that brought Ed and Kathie Tarasoff together. There was an instant connection and after a few dates, they quickly realized that they wanted to spend all their time with each other. In 2008, Ed and Kathie started their lives together in Nelson. He was a stepfather to her four children and her whole family loved and embraced Ed as did Ed's family to Kathie's.
Ed was a lifetime member of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ where he participated in many community events. He held an executive position on the Children's Sunday School Meetings Group, Sunday school teacher and a Glade trustee. His passion was singing and so was Kathie's. Ed and Kathie joined the North Community Choir and would enjoy to sing during their commute from Nelson to Shoreacres for their practices. Ed participated in the Kootenay Men's Choir for many years and joined the newly formed men's Glade Beavers Choir where they performed this past Spring at the talent nights at both Brilliant Cultural Center and Grand Forks Center to rave reviews.
This beautiful voice would soon be silenced.
In April 2019 Ed was diagnosed with cancer. A total shock to him and those around him. For a man who loved to sing and be active, it was deep blow and his health began to fail.
Ed was predeceased by his parents Pete and Mary Strelive, wife Marlene, father-in-law and mother-in- law Mike and Mary Verigin and sister-in-law Katie Kinakin.
He leaves behind to mourn his loss his daughter Angie Bailey and husband Argon, granddaughters Olivia and Emma, his daughter Melanie Hebert and husband Jay, granddaughter Alexis and grandson Nathan, loving spouse Kathie Tarasoff, brother Paul Strelive (Elaine), sister Diane Legebokoff (Mike), sister Marion Therrien (Mike), brothers-in-law George Kinakin and Larry Verigin (Terri) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He will also be missed by Kathie's family; her parents, John and Mary Tarasoff, her children, son Cam, daughter Kim (son Taylor), daughter Krysha (partner Nick), son Curtis (partner Chelsea) as well as Kathie's brothers Mickey Tarasoff (Sharon), Tom Tarasoff (Kathy), Fred Tarasoff and their families.
Funeral service was held on August 15, 2019 at the Brilliant Cultural Center, with the internment at the Glade Cemetery.
Those who wish can make donations in Ed's name to the USCC Memorial Park, Box 760, Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H0. This is where he enjoyed spending time singing, praying and cultivating the land.
The family would like to thank Dr. Malpass and the staff of Kootenay Lake Hospital for their diligent care and the phenomenal job of caring for Ed as his time drew to a close, and how you patiently and lovingly guided the family through it as well.
Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.