It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Starchuk, born July 21, 1925 in Smokey Lake, Alberta. He passed away peacefully on June 26, 2013, with his two daughters at his side.
He attended his schooling in Grand Forks and graduated in 1943. The day he turned 18 years, he went to Vancouver and joined the Army. After basic training he was shipped to England, then to Holland. He joined up for the Pacific and by the time he got back to Canada the war was over. With his gratuity money he took flying lessons. He got a job as a pilot for Mr. Sewers, who had a business in Saskachewan and got to do a lot of flying!
He met his wife then and they were married in 1952. He went into logging as a faller and ended up retiring while living on Vancouver Island. After a few moves he came back to Grand Forks for a few years. Wanting to be close to his youngest daughter Valerie and his grandchildren Mitch and Amanda and great-grandson Lane he moved to Salmon Arm. Last year he spent a month at the cancer clinic in Kelowna, bravely beating cancer.
He was predeceased by his parents Rose and Mike; sisters Elsie, Mary, Kaye, Doris and Vera; brothers Alex, Fred and Peter; his daughter Lila. Survived by his sisters Alice, Ollie, (Herb) and Lucille (Jim), daughters Heather and Valerie, grandchildren Lisette, Mitch (Joliesa), Brianna, Kristina (Ryan), Amanda (Scott), Zach; great grandchildren Raine, Lane and Patrick.
Recent highlights of his life recently were going to the Fathers Day Airshow where he went up for a ride in a plane and the pilot letting him fly the plane; the graduation of his great grand-daughter Raine and going to the Seniors Center on Fridays for the day away program.
Celebration of Life to be held at the Grand Forks Legion on his birthday July 21, 2013 at 2:00 p,m.
Online condolences can be sent through John’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Service, Salmon Arm, BC.