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With sad hearts, the family of William Sam Kalesnikoff of Raspberry Village wishes to announce his peaceful passing, with his loving family by his side, at the Castleview Care Centre on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, blessed with 82 years of life.


William was born at Champion Creek, BC on July 26, 1929 to parents Tina and Sam Kalesnikoff. Bill spent his lifetime raising a family in the Kootenays and working for Kalesnikoff Lumber Company. In 1951, Bill married Elizabeth Tamelin and they began their life together in Champion Creek. A few years later they moved to Robson and later to Raspberry Village, where they raised their family. Throughout his life he enjoyed playing ball, fishing, woodworking and gardening.


Bill is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Elizabeth, daughters Betty (Robert) and Jeanette (Peter), and son Willy (Darlene), grandchildren Brian (Michelle), Shawna (Isa), Jaclyn, Jaime (Greg), Jeffrey, Meghan, and Logan, great grandchildren Drayden, Ethan, Leandro, Sofia and Alice. He is also survived by his brothers Sam and John (Pearl), and sister Emma (John).


A traditional Doukhobor Funeral Service, with Peter Zaytsoff officiating, was held at the Brilliant Cultural Centre on Feb. 13, 2012 and Bill was laid to rest at the Brilliant Cemetery.


The Kalesnikoff Family extends our heartfelt thank you to Dr. Merritt and the Castleview Care Team. We would like to thank Peter Zaytsoff for his support and leadership of the service and Bill Strilaeff and Sid Malakoff from the Castlegar Funeral Chapel. Mae Popoff and the ladies cooking group and all the ladies who prepared and served our delicious lunch, from our hearts, thank you. To the friends and family for baking and bringing their delicious desserts to share with our meal, to the psalm-singing group who came and prayed with us, to Walter Holuboff and his men for preparing Bill’s final resting place, to the Staff of the Brilliant Cultural Centre and to Kalesnikoff Lumber Co. for their ongoing support and contributions to our community, we extend of heartfelt gratitude.


It warms our hearts to see so many friends and family supporting us and sharing our grief with our loss. Bill will be missed and will stay forever in our hearts.



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