May 12, 1956 - October 10, 2009
It is with much sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Stanley Ozeroff announces his sudden passing on
October 10, 2009 at the age of 53.
Stan was born at home on May 12, 1956,
the youngest of four children of William and Margaret Ozeroff of Pass Creek.
He attended elementary schools in Robson
and Castlegar and graduated from Stanley
Humphries Secondary School in 1974.
Stan commenced employment with the local pulp mill at age 18 and achieved his much-desired millwright apprenticeship and certification. He remained actively employed with Celgar Pulp Company as a millwright, in the more recent
years with the predictive maintenance department specializing in vibration analysis. This specialty led him to a highlight of his career, which was a
trip to Germany as the Union representative with a small delegation, where he toured the Stendal
and Rosenthal pulp mills and shared his expertise. Stan participated in choirs and skits and other activities within his Doukhobor culture in his childhood and teen years as a member of the
Doukhobor Student Choir and the Castlegar Union of Youth group. His interest in acting and his creative abilities led him to involvement with
the Space On The Floor theatre group. He built props and participated in numerous plays, in significant roles, that were presented annually by
the group at dinner theatres in Castlegar, Rossland and Salmo. Stan recently began preparing for the lead role in this years play, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers.
Stan was active in the formation of the Robson Fire Department and served with the department for 17 years as a firefighter, a captain, training
officer and deputy fire chief. He played a large role in developing the relationship between the Robson Fire Department and the Post Falls and Kutenai County Fire Departments in Idaho. For many years in the 1980’s and 90’s those departments enjoyed and supported each other’s annual firefighting competitions that saw the
participation of numerous firefighting teams from each side of the border.
After moving to Castlegar, Stan ran as a
councillor in one of the city’s elections. He was active with Citizens on Patrol and with Toastmasters. Stan and Bev’s home on 28th Street became an attraction on Halloween for hundreds of children and parents that came to
see the incredible display on the front yard and entrance, complete with smoke and sound effects and costumed characters, with the whole thing
crafted and presented by Stan and Bev and their family.
Stan was known for participating in riskier activities such as demolition derbies, bungee jumping, skydiving and scuba diving. He always busied himself with home projects and with
assisting his family with home renovations and
repairs. He enjoyed his annual stays at the time-share condominium in Puerto Vallarta.
Stan especially enjoyed boating and was the Commodore of the Arrow Yacht Club.
Stan’s life and his many plans and dreams tragically ended on the evening of October 9 when he suffered a massive brain haemorrhage at home. His condition was too serious for any reparative medical intervention. He passed away
peacefully on the morning of October 10 at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, in the presence of family and close friends. Stan was predeceased by his mother Margaret in 1986, his father William in 1995 and his sister
Irene in 2001. He leaves behind his loving wife
Bev and step-daughter Carolee Prudden of
Castlegar, his daughter Ileea and her partner Cody Auclair of Mulhurst Bay, AB, his son Justin and wife Angie and beloved grandson Everett of Castlegar, by his brothers and sisters-in-law Peter
and Dana Ozeroff of Castlegar and Cyril and
Judy Ozeroff of Pass Creek, and by numerous
special nephews and nieces, other family, and friends. Funeral services were held at the Brilliant Cultural Centre on October 15 and 16, 2009.
Interment followed at the USCC Brilliant
Cemetery. Personal Alternative Funeral Services were in care of the arrangements. Stan was a special
person in the lives of all who knew him. For all that he was, he will be deeply missed and forever loved.