William J. (Bill) Stoochnoff, life-long resident of Shoreacres, passed away peacefully at the age of 83, on June 11 2012 with his family by his side at the Kootenay
Lake Hospital in Nelson. Bill was born on October 29 1928 in Shoreacres.
Bill is survived by his wife Emma and five children; son Bill (Cathy) Stoochnoff of Shoreacres, daughters Elaine (Steve) Malekow from Shoreacres, Linda Stoochnoff from Shoreacres, Sandra (Ken) Konkin from Thrums, Violet Rilkoff from Shoreacres. Grandchildren Misha (Sarah) Stoochnoff from Moscow Russia, Dasha Stoochnoff from Moscow Russia, Derek Konkin from Thrums, Corey Konkin from Thrums, Kristina Malekow from Shoreacres, Svetlana (Nathan) Dalla Lana from Grand Forks, Tamara (Jeremy) Childs from Abbotsford, Sarah Rilkoff from Grand Forks, as well as great grandchildren Oksana Stoochnoff and Sophia Stoochnoff from Moscow, and Vienna and Noah Dalla Lana from Grand Forks. In addition Bill is survived by his older sister Nora (Sam) Kotyk from Mission and younger brother George (Helen) Stoochnoff from Shoreacres as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and fishing buddies. Bill was predeceased by his father John Stoochnoff in 1956 and by his mother Annie in 1976.
Bill’s working career consisted of several years as a faller in the logging industry, followed by many years as a carpenter in the construction industry on various projects throughout the Kootenays.
Bill was a lifelong fishing fanatic; born on the shores of the Slocan River in Shoreacres when the Kootenay River ran free before the construction of dams and reservoirs and salmon were still migrating to the Kootenays.
Bill’s love of outdoors activities and great sense of humor was surpassed only by his lifelong unconditional support of his family; his children, doting on his grandchildren and the joy brought to him by his great grandchildren. For the past few years he lived mainly to see the growing families “one last time”.
You’ve done your job well father, now may your soul rest in peace.
A traditional Doukhobor funeral service, officiated by Fred Makortoff, was held at the Shoreacres Community Hall, followed by interment at the Shoreacres Doukhobor Cemetery. A traditional Doukhobor meal was served following the burial.
Funeral services were entrusted to the Castlegar Funeral Chapel.
Memorial donations may be made to the USCC publication ISKRA as well as the BC Lung Association.