April 6, 1938 - March 17, 2020
Fred was born to Elena (Androsoff) and Charlie Salekin on April 6, 1938, the eldest of five children, and grew up in West Robson on the family property. His young days were spent hunting and fishing and helping his dad with the trapline. He was a diligent student and went through his schooling in Castlegar, graduating in 1956.
In his early teens Fred taught himself to play guitar and later in life the banjo and mandolin. With likeminded friends, jamming was great fun for him, and they would spend long nights picking and singing their favorite bluegrass tracks. While in high school, he spent his summers working for the forestry, Cominco and as a tugboat hand.
Fred married Verna Elasoff in 1958 and they moved to Victoria where Fred attended Victoria College. He received his teaching degree from UBC and began teaching in Princeton, Nelson, Robson and Castlegar. Fred and Verna settled in Castlegar where they raised their family. In his spare time, Fred continued his love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing and trapping with his dad, brothers and friends. He was an avid gardener and was always eager to not only share his spoils but also the vast knowledge he had of every plant, insect, animal and mineral.
Following his retirement Fred worked for Golder Associates of Castlegar as an environment consultant. Fred's commitment to the environment was a lifelong passion. He maintained memberships to many environmental clubs until the very end and was always quick to pen a letter to the MLAs when he saw a negative impact on the land he grew up on and knew so well. Fred was very politically active and took every opportunity to verbally joust with anyone who would dare engage him.
After many years of struggling with cancer, Fred passed on March 17, 2020 at the Trail Regional Hospital. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Verna and his son Barry. He is survived by his two daughters Arleen (Langille) of Calgary and Renita (Lennon) of Castlegar; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; his brothers Charlie (Polly) & Trapper Jim and sisters Dorothy Jenstad (Ron) & Liz (Postnikoff).
Fred especially enjoyed bantering with his physician Dr. Makwati and wanted to acknowledge him, the staff of the Castlegar clinic, Interior Health and the team at Castlegar Pharmasave. Fred's last three weeks were spent on the third floor of the Trail Regional Hospital under the compassionate care of the team of dedicated heroes. Nurses, Dr. Kirby, Dr. Baxter, constant care providers, social workers, all committed to making his last days comfortable and the family is eternally grateful for their selfless attention.