Sadly the family of Nick Wasyl Osachoff, of Castlegar (formerly of Vallican), wishes to announce his passing, with his loved ones by his side, at Talarico Place Care Centre, on Thursday, May 27, 2015 blessed with 88 years of life.
Nick was born in Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan on June 18, 1926 to parents Polly and Wasyl Osachoff. He grew up on the farm, along with two brothers, and attended school up to grade 8 in Riverhill, Saskatchewan. In 1943, at 17 years of age, Nick got his driver’s license, bought a car, and drove, with his dad, to BC and settled on a farm that his dad bought. He ended up living in Vallican for 64 years.
On December 19, 1948, he married the love of his life for 52 years, Nellie Swetlishoff. They lived in an old shack until Nick built their home in 1954. The young couple adopted their son Walter in 1958 and daughter Theresa in 1961. Nick worked for Burns Lumber and the Vallican Pole Yard. In 1956, he was instrumental in starting the valley’s credit union, which he ran out of his home and was also involved in starting up the Slocan Valley Co-op. In 1961, he was asked to manage the co-op for 3 weeks, he did not leave until he retired in 1991 and even went back for a year and a half in 1995. Nick was a well liked and respected active member of the community. He spent many years as president of the Passmore Senior Citizen’s Association. In 2007, Nick moved to Castlegar, where he spent the remainder of his years.
Nick loved animals and had many pets over the years. He loved music and enjoyed playing his sax and violin. Nick enjoyed pitching horseshoes, and won trophies in the BC Senior Games, gardening, golf and woodworking.
Nick now joins his parents, his wife Nellie, his son Walter, his daughter Teresa Kanigan and his brother John.
Nick will be remembered by his four grandchildren Jodi (Keelan) Lightfoot, Scott Osachoff (Amanda Rivet), Jaime (Sean) Massey and Kelly Kanigan (Mike Van Ryn); 7 great-grandchildren Braden, Jordan, Lexi, Morgan, Keegan, Zoey and Melody; brother Fred (Mabel) Osachoff; sister-in-law Fanny Osachoff and an huge circle of extended family and friends.
Funeral Services were officiated by Sid Malakoff
at Castlegar Funeral Chapel on Wednesday,
June 3, 2015 followed by interment in the
Slocan Park Cemetery.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Castlegar Funeral Chapel, officiant Sid Malakoff, the Slocan Park Ladies Cooking Group and the Men’s Digging Group, as well as for the many kind words of sympathy, cards, flowers and donations that were given. The family would also like to thank the staff at Talarico Place and the staff
at Castlewood for their care and kindness.