April 5, 1926 -
December 16, 2013
Sam was born in Pass Creek, BC on April 5, 1926 into the family of Alex and Helen Popoff. He spent most of his life there with his parents and younger siblings Bill, Mary and Mable. Funeral services were held at the Brilliant Cultural Centre on December 21, 2013 with burial at Pass Creek Cemetery.
Sam attended Pass Creek School until grade 8. Starting in his teen years he learned carpentry skills from his father, which he continued to pursue for most of his adult life. He worked on building cabins at Johnston Canyon, Alberta, as well as on hospitals, schools and residential homes in the West Kootenay. He did home renovations and he also built furniture, kitchen cupboards, desks, cedar chests, toys and Doukhobour ladles. Sam volunteered in the building of Pass Creek Hall, Verigin Memorial Park, Sirotskoye, and the Brilliant Cultural Centre.
Sam loved to sing, especially psalms, and he loved to play the accordion and guitar. He participated in the Pass Creek Local and the Kootenay Psalm Singers. In his earlier years he wrote and directed plays and taught Russian school. He drove a logging truck and then managed the KC Co-op in Brilliant for ten years. He helped start the Brilliant Credit Union. For 35 years he looked after the Pass Creek Cemetery and helped map the site for record keeping.
In 1953 Sam married Florence Hadikin and in their 58 years of marriage they raised three children: Diana, Hapa and John. Sam and Florence enjoyed gardening. They had hot beds, greenhouses, a huge vegetable patch, fruit trees and a garlic patch. They raised chickens, milking cows and a horse. They also enjoyed picking wild huckleberries and syouzeekee. Sam and Florence travelled across Canada, down the Oregon coast to California, along the Alaska Highway to the Yukon and to the USSR. They enjoyed camping and spent many years travelling in their motor home. They also enjoyed swimming at Ainsworth, Nakusp and Halcyon Hot Springs.
Sam was very hospitable and enjoyed entertaining guests. He loved his family and enjoyed teaching his children how to sing, look after the animals, learn carpentry skills, tend the garden and orchard, drive vehicles and anything else that was relevant. He enjoyed coaching the Pass Creek Minor Softball team. He was a very passionate member of the USCC and gladly served his community. He encouraged his entire family to participate and share their culture and heritage. Sam liked to bless people by giving to them gifts such as knife blocks, magazine stands, Doukhobour ladles or money.
Sam is survived by his children: Diana Parker, Hapa (Gary) Christiansen, John (Neva) Popoff, and his grandchildren: Eric and Jake Parker, Tanya (Michael) Flood, Malcolm Christiansen, Alexander Popoff and his sister Mable Allan. He was predeceased by his parents, wife Florence, brother Bill Popoff and sister Mary Osmachenko.
Sam went to be with his Lord on December 16, 2013. He will be sadly missed and will remain forever in our hearts.
Sam’s Family would like to thank Dr. Merritt and the staff at Castleview Care Centre, plus all of the doctors, nurses, medical staff, pharmacists and home support workers who assisted in Dad’s care over the years. Thank you to all relatives, friends and neighbors who supported us with your kind words, visits, telephone calls, emails, cards, flowers, food, gifts and donations. Thank you to the Grand Forks Funeral Home for your compassionate and professional services. Thank you to Ernie Verigin for officiating at Dad’s funeral. Thank you to Marcia Strelaeff for preparing the song booklets. Thank you to Nick Plotnikoff for playing the accordion. Thank you to the psalmists and congregational singers and all those who came to support the family.
As an expression of condolence donations in Sam’s memory may be made to: USCC Iskra magazine,
Box 760, Grand Forks, BC, V0H1H0 (250-442-8252).