Nicholas Phillip “Nick” Horkoff of Vulcan passed away suddenly at home on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at the age of 77 years.
Nick was born December 20, 1925 in Grand Forks,B.C. He attended Grand Forks Russian school until grade seven, when he began working in the orchards. In 1946 at Milo, he married Pauline Shkuratoff and together they worked on an orchard in the Okanagan. They purchased their own orchard 1951. In 1953 Pauline’s mother passed away and they moved to the Berrywater District to help on the family farm. In 1958 when Pauline’s father passed away they took over the entire farming operation. Nick continued to operate the farm until his retirement in 2000. He had continued to reside on the farm since.
Nick loved his family and grandchildren sharing special time with them. When his children were in 4H he assisted them with their calves and later he supported their choices in life. Every new baby that entered the world was carried, sang to and danced with in Nick’s arms. Nick was a hard working man. He was a man with powerful hands who could milk ten cows twice per day, but had a tender spot in his heart for animals. He was a religious man, though he never attended church.
Nick never really had time for hobbies. Working in the field, milking cows, tending the huge garden and the general upkeep of every day life, kept his schedule full. For several years Nick and Pauline attended the Millarville Market and other farmer’s markets selling her crafts. This was their social time away from home. They often had numerous neighbors drop by their place for visits around the kitchen table. The last few years Nick traveled to Ottawa and Toronto. He enjoyed the tour buses, seeing all the sites the cities had to offer, but did not like the Subway system.
Nick was President of the Berrywater Community Association for several years and was involved in Unifarm.
Loving father of a daughter Helen (Dennis) Clease of Bragg Creek, two sons Ed (Marion) Horkoff of Calgary, Jim (Kris) Horkoff of Vulcan, seven grandchildren Donnie (Shannon) Horkoff, Krista (Sergio) Medina, David Clease, Jodie Clease, Jennifer Horkoff, Austin Horkoff and Nathan Horkoff, three great grandchildren Alexander Horkoff, William Horkoff, Marcello Medina, a brother Bill Planidin of Surrey B.C., two sisters-in-law Mary Shkuratoff of Calgary, Pauline Shkuratoff of Oliver, numerous nieces and nephews.
Nick was predeceased by his wife Pauline “Polly” in 1999, a son David in 1953, a sister Polly Soukoreff and his parents.
Funeral service Thursday May 29, 2003 at 10:30 A.M. Vulcan United Church with Lee Spice officiating.
Honorary Bearers were his grandchildren.
Casket Bearers Kevin Love, Murray McLean, Bill Sharp, Allen Webber, Sheldon Webber and Ron Wickstrom.
Internment at Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood Cemetery, Shouldice, Alberta.
In lieu of flowers tributes in Nick’s memory could be made to either the Vulcan Community Health Care Center Box 299 Vulcan, TOL 2BO or the Vulcan United Church Box 275 Vulcan, TOL 2BO.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. Telephone 485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.