November 15, 2020
The family would like to announce that after a long battle with cancer, Leonard Bayoff passed away on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at the age of 78. Leonard was born, grew up in and settled in Tarrys. He lived there his entire life, other than a short period of time in his youth when the family moved to Vancouver.
Leonard was a talented millwright and enjoyed his work. His first job was at Kalesnikoff Lumber Company, then he spent many years at Kootenay Forest Products in Nelson, and finally retired from Pope and Talbot sawmill in Castlegar.
He loved working in his shop, whether it was welding a part on his old D-6 bulldozer, making a logging trailer from scratch, or helping someone with their project. Over the years he was often seen on his bulldozer, excavator, or John Deere tractor.
Leonard married Anne Gretchen in 1965, and together they raised three children. Life was full of family gatherings, travel and happy memories. In 1993, Anne passed away at the young age of 48, and over the next few years Leonard experienced some trying times.
He then met Marie Verigin, and in December 2000 they were married. Once again life was full, and together over the years he and Marie shared happy family gatherings and made memories with all six children and twelve grandchildren.
Leonard was predeceased by his parents Nick and Helen Bayoff, wife Anne, in-laws Mike and Annie Gretchen, and brothers- in-law Bill Makaroff and Mike Zoobkoff.
He is survived by his wife Marie; children Shelley (Ian) Macaulay; Rick Bayoff; David Bayoff (Lisa Haaparanta); Tammy (Kevin) Read; Ken Verigin; Mike (Nicole) Verigin; grandchildren Brooke and Fallon Macaulay; Nicholas Dodds; Samantha Bayoff; Cody and Keenan Martin; Mikaela, Katrina and Andrew Read; Olivia, Esmae and Tabitha Verigin; sister Marlene (Paul) Makortoff; sisters-in-law Mary Zoobkoff and Vera Makaroff; as well as many nieces, nephews and good friends.
A private service was held on Tuesday, November 24th followed by burial at Shoreacres Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow when restrictions allow.
We wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Moulson, Dr. Malpass, and the homecare workers for their outstanding support and kindness over these last many years, and to Dr. Merritt and the caregivers at Talarico Place for their compassionate care during the last weeks of Leonard's life's journey.
We also wish to thank Bill Strilaeff and the staff at the Castlegar Funeral Chapel, as well as the grave-diggers, for their humble assistance and guidance.