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With very sad and heavy hearts, the family of John Kazakoff of Ootischenia wishes to announce his unexpected passing at the Castlegar and Community Health Centre on Thursday,

July 11, 2013, blessed with 64 years of life.


John was born in Grand Forks on July 22, 1948 to parents Nancy and Peter Kazakoff.  At a young age, he and his family moved to Kinnaird, where John grew up.  He got all his early schooling in the Castlegar area and graduated from Stanley Humphries in 1967.  He became a Technician in training after graduating from BCIT in 1971.


John met Loretta Negrave and on June 23, 1974, in Nelson they were married.   He worked for BC Hydro and then ran Purnell Distributors from 1983 to 1999. Always wanting to expand his family, he adopted two children from Romania.  John was also an avid member of the Kootenay Men’s Choir and many other USCC activities.


He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Peter.


Left to mourn his loss is his loving wife of 39 years Loretta, son Jacob, daughter Caitlin, sisters Janice Konkin and Katherine Horcoff, nephews Troy and Darrin Konkin and Tim Horcoff, aunts, cousins and many wonderful friends. Honorary family included Mike and Therese O’Connor.


Funeral Services were officiated by Peter Relkoff at the Brilliant Cultural Centre on Thursday, July 18, 2013 followed by interment in Park Memorial Cemetery in Castlegar.


Arrangements were in care of

Castlegar Funeral Chapel.



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