It is with deep sorrow that I announce the sudden passing of Allan Verishine, formerly of Langham, SK, on Sunday, December 18, 2016. He is survived by wife Leah (McCaw), sons Jeff (Tracey), Jade (Marni), Cory and Merle, sister Marilyn (Elmer), nieces Nona, Lori and Tammy, nephew Kim, grandchildren Amanda, Alexander, Austin, Kennedy, Cade, Levi, Daniel, Aaron, Ellen, Justin and Jacob as well as several cousins.

Al spent his former years in various places west of Langham, until he moved to the Yukon in 1990. As an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing were top of the reasons for moving there, as well as a lifelong dream to do so.   He met Leah in 1992, they married in 1994 and had been partners ever since.

His 73 years have brought many adventures. Everything from rodeo in the young and stupid years, to airplane painting, to mining, heavy equipment operating, all the while honing his skills as a carpenter and master craftsman.   His last 25 years in Whitehorse, Yukon were spent mostly self employed as a carpenter, and the latest of those years as a master – making furniture and designer kitchens for some of the select people of Whitehorse. His work was so revered that they’d wait over a year for him to have time to do their project.

As well as working more than full time at times, he always had time to volunteer. Just as Leah came on the scene in 1992, he was in the process of organizing a Rodeo in the Yukon. That project lasted about 7 years, then he decided he wanted to go fishing instead of living and breathing rodeo. But that’s how he was, giving his all. His next volunteer organization was starting the Harley Owners Group, after obtaining another lifelong dream of owning a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in 2002. The dealership started up in Whitehorse, and he was there, lock, stock and barrel.   The culmination of that venture was hosting the 2008 Western Regional Rally. After that, somewhat at the urging of Leah, we left that club in other’s hands, and ‘retired’ from service work, again. That almost lasted a year, when he was approached by the Ride for Dad group. They raise money for prostate cancer research and awareness across Canada. The executive convinced Al that he was the right person to head it up in Whitehorse, so we embarked on 6 years of working tirelessly for that group. Again, he gave his all to the group and the cause.

All his years of heavy, physical work took its toll, and his body dictated the next move – to Vancouver Island. Leah’s family is all there, so what better place to retire. No snow to shovel! The move was made in 2015, to settle in Nanaimo, with plans to transfer to Victoria area. He was just starting to get into the swing of retirement and taking it easier, when tragedy struck him down.

His wishes were simple. Love family and friends like there is no tomorrow. Start the day with ‘Good morning, I love you’. Laugh every day.   He didn’t want a lot of fanfare upon his passing, but if you feel like you would like to hoist a rum and coke or chocolate milk in his honor, please do. In lieu of flowers or a service, he would be pleased if you wanted to donate to the Ride for Dad or a Childrens Hospital charity in his name.

The above obituary was created by Allan’s wife Leah and posted here by Allan’s brother-in-law, Elmer Verigin, December 25, 2016.

I wish to add that I found Allan’s Artistic talents akin to the most professional that there could be. Allan would create a masterpiece and then after he was able to complete a project that included his work, he would lose interest and would find another challenge and start all over again. He left with his sister many such examples that include:

• One-of-a-kind Rocking Chair
  • His written instructions to his sister Marilyn included, “please sit in this chair for a least 15 minutes each day and relax. It has not happened thus far
• Leather workings
• Sand-blasted Etchings

I witnessed examples of his ability to:

• Metal welding
• Cabinetry of various descriptions
• Play musical instruments and sing
• Tree Faller
• Fiberglass caskets
• Fiberglas boat building
• Carpentry and construction of housing and commercial buildings
• Just about anything Allan touched would be a one-of-a-kind master piece

I also witnessed his difficulty in human relationships. Many people with artistic talents have issues in dealing with family and people.

Marilyn and I were able to keep a bond with Allan and Leah right to the time of his passing.

We also enjoyed a close bond to the rest of Allan’s family.

May he rest in peace!

Elmer December 25, 2016

 

(Celebration of life December 22, 2016)

Everyone who has met Theo, immediately experienced an instant warmth, which was amplified by an unrestrained smile. It was in this memory that “Temma”, his Russian name, honored his grandfather. Tim Rebalkin had a similar aura that his friends enjoyed.

I first met Theo as part of our friend’s Kate and Jim family as we enjoyed many outings and visits between families. No question about love……….. it abounded and each member of the family had a special place and was so honored by the rest.

I once enjoyed a special place in Society as Mayor of Green City (if you do not know where it is look it up on Google) and it was election year. My Campaign Committee was confident that I would win comfortably as nobody of any repute was even considering to compete for that hallowed position.

Then arrived Theo and his brothers along with their dog named Roxy and they started erecting signs in that pristine wilderness. It was the methods they used to promote their candidate for Mayor, that would equal the tight race of the recent Trump / Clinton debacle. You might even call it a “Dog Race”. It was the first time that I was impressed with the ingenuity and fortitude of the Laktin family. I lost the election but I forgave Theo for that.

Theo and his brothers were responsible for interfering in our adult social life. Every time there was another outing, the Laktins would have excuses:

• “We need to take Theo to championship playoffs for:
• Volleyball
• Baseball
• Fastball”

• “We need to take the entire family as our boys are on the same team”

• “This time we are going to Calgary, or Saskatchewan for the Western Canadians”

• I even heard that they competed in the Canadian and Olympic playoffs and won top ratings

• There were times that they played in Alaska

 

I decided to check this out and sure enough it was true.

Rand Wayling a mutual friend and I chatted the other day and Rand expounded on the talents of Theo as a Volleyball Player that could easily be attributed to a Professional Player.

So it was true about the Laktin family supporting their sons and they as a result brought them much joy.

There are conflicting stories on what happened that fateful morning when Theo was wounded and became wheel chair bound. The recount alone was chilling and appeared senseless but the results were a calamity for Theo as well as his extended family.

We can say we understand the plight of a handicapped person, but can anyone that a renowned athlete describe the frustration of never being able to run, walk or ever be able to move without a wheelchair?

Within that once beautiful body was a soul, trapped and encumbered through no fault of his own!

We all can suggest that one can rise above their handicap but how many of us go to bed and wake up in the same hopeless condition? It is akin to an innocent prisoner in a penitentiary serving a life sentence.

Theo and his beautiful family of Kim and their triplet girls were able to attend the Whatshan Jam this past summer with many more of the Laktin Family. It is a project that Theo wanted to see as his family was partly responsible for its development. He convinced Kim that he wanted to have a “Whatshan Experience”. It will always remain a mystery in the way Quantum Physics is involved in matters of this nature but you can be the judge of what took place:

• There was dancing in front of the stage as Theo watched, hung

• rily, from his wheelchair as he was once enjoyed dancing. My daughter Nona asked him for a dance. A video would have best described the smile on Theo’s face as he wheeled around with Nona, holding hands. We all must realize that it took a great deal of dexterity to achieve this. Yes Theo had the time of his life!

• Theo and is family asked to stay back after everyone else left after the event that Monday. It was only this Fall that Theo asked his father to check the campsite and there Jim and Michael witnessed what Theo and his doting daughters inscribed on the grassy campsite with stones were the words………………….. L-O-V-E. It will likely be preserved for a long time

• It was a “Whatshan Experience” for all

 

Well Peter has done an excellent job of explaining our Doukhobor traditions and how we handle the transfer of life on Earth to the Hereafter.

Dr. Lipton, a Cell Biology Researcher, witnessed that his experiments with one of the sixty odd trillion cells that make up our physical bodies, proved that each cell actually communicates with the environment……….Quantum Physics, perhaps. After thirty years as an Egnostic, he realized that a “Higher Force” directed the cells as well as the atoms. He is now a believer in God

Dr Lipton also suggests that passing of a person is only of that physical self. Life of an ancestor is passed on through the off-spring into eternity.

And so Theo continues to live through his three daughters who will be loved even more by their families

Written by Elmer Verigin , December 22, 2016