July 11, 1942 - April 26, 2021
Joe, a long time resident of Slocan Park, B.C., passed away April 26th, 2021, at Kootenay Lake Hospital, from congestive heart failure.
He is survived by his loving wife Shirley, brother Gabriel Podovinikoff and partner Wendy, nieces Kathie Patterson and husband Greg, Paris Voykin and partner Mike Johnston, nephew Daniel Voykin and partner Christianne, as well as grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Florence Podovinikoff, and sister Natalie Voykin.
Joe was born in Slocan Park on July 11th, 1942, and spent most of his early years in Hilliers on Vancouver Island. He returned to Slocan Park in 1970, where he met his wife, and they married on August 7th, 1971.
Joe took his training in welding at Nanaimo Vocational School and worked many jobs across B.C., including a few months at a pulp mill in Chile, South America. He started his own business, Interior Fabweld in 1977, and later, he and his cousin amalgamated their two companies, calling it I & I Installations.
During their successful partnership, they did contract work at many mills across the province. Joe also had his own welding shop and welding truck where he provided on-site repairs to all kinds of heavy equipment.
Joe was a caring and compassionate person who cared deeply about his extended family and community. He was a member of the USCC, the Doukhobor Cultural Association and Kootenay Men's Group, where he worked on many voluntary projects over the years.
He lived a very happy and productive life and greeted each day with optimism, enthusiasm and appreciation. His sense of humour never faltered even as his health declined. His legacy of service and selflessness will be remembered, and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.