Obituaries

It is with profound sadness, the Halko family announces the passing of our loving Mother & Baba. With family by her side, Marianne passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 16th in Kelowna, BC. Marianne was born in the old St. Eugene’s Hospital in Cranbrook, BC on April 21, 1941 but lived her life in Michel, Natal and later in Sparwood. She began to work at an early age and worked at the show hall, Trites Woods, and as a switch board operator for the telephone company. In...

With family at her side, Josephine passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 14 at the age of 92 at Crestview Village in Creston. As a young woman, Josie emigrated from Italy to Fernie and went on to become popular and well loved as a waitress at various restaurants over her career. In past years, she was a perennial top pledge raiser for the Rotary Club Walkathon and remained physically active until recently, including being the passionate “Duck Lady” at the Annex Pond. Josie...

Peacefully surrounded by loving family, on Monday March 11, 2019 at Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie, Barbara Mary Sokol passed at the age of 100. Predeceased by her beloved husband Stanislaw Sokol, parents Maud and Sydney Smith and brother Edmund Smith.  Forever remembered by children Roman Sokol (Susan) and Donna (Sokol) Thorner (Jim Thorner).  Loved by grandchildren Leslee-Anne (Sokol) Nakasuji (Shun Nakasuji), Keith Sokol (Alicia Pretty), Dr. Kyle Sokol (Sandi Sokol), Christopher...

On Monday, March 11th, Urrie Allan Leavens passed away suddenly at his home in Creston, BC at the age of 54 years. He was born in High River, AB on April 25, 1964 to parents Allan and Velma Leavens. Urrie is survived by his siblings: Vallee (Steve) Perry of Spawood, Moreena Leavens of Fernie, Bear Leavens of Creston, and Hope (Rob) McNally of Spirit River, AB as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by both of his parents. Urrie will always be remembered as a hard worker...

Doug passed away on Friday, March 8th, 2019, in his 92nd year. Doug lived a full life, defined by family and the many relationships he developed while in Fernie and beyond.  Doug now joins his beloved wife Wilda (nee Penman) of 65 years, who predeceased him in 2018.  Doug leaves to cherish his memory his son Bruce (Donna), his daughters Sandra (Mel) and Sharon, his grandchildren Gordon, Samantha (Mark), Britney (Will), Katelyn (Matt), and Jacob, and his sister Sheila (Jack)...

Following years of declining health, Jane Ann Gauthier, beloved wife of Henri, was summoned to her eternal rest on Thursday, March 7th at the age of 74. Jane is survived by her children: Tony (Fran), Mark (Michelle), and Lee (Tara), 13 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and sisters Mary (Mike), Laurie and Betty as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Cliff and Mamie Hrdlicka and her daughter Kim. Jane was an outgoing, friendly woman who enjoyed the...

Roy was born in Franz, Ontario on January 18, 1943 and was the youngest of six children. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Wawa, Ontario and then attended the University of Ottawa to pursue his career in education. He met his wife, Charlotte, at a university dance and married in 1971. After finishing university, Roy took his first job as a teacher in Calgary, Alberta. He soon moved with Charlotte to Victoria, BC, where his first son, Spencer, was born in 1977. After taking a...

Olga Louise Lowe - Raffin passed away peacefully on March 4, 2019 at Rocky Mountain Village in Fernie. She was born November 21, 1927 in Natal BC, the youngest daughter of Verino and Luigia D’Angelo. Olga was predeceased by husband Arthur Lowe (d. 1979) and by their son Robert Allen Lowe (d. 2002), also by her sister Lena Malinosky and brothers Guido and Efren D’Angelo. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her children: Lodie Nickerson (Charlie), Ed Lowe (Myrna), Lois...

On Saturday, March 2nd, our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Mel Gagnon, passed away at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital at the age of 70 years. Joseph Hermel “Mel” Gagnon was born in St. Andre, NB on July 29, 1948 to parents Romeo and Jeanne (Caron) Gagnon. Mel is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nicole (Desjardins), his son Michel (Andrea Gonnely) of Elkford, BC his daughter Sonya (Leonard) Hammond of Sparwood, BC, and the precious grandchildren he absolutely...

With tremendous sorrow and heartache, we announce the death of our beloved son, brother, husband and father, Darrin William Arola. Darrin passed away on February 27th in Calgary, AB following a tragic accident. Darrin will be forever missed by his wife Wendy Arola, sons Dion and Bowen Arola, his mother Sharon Arola and brother Harvey Arola as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Harvey Arola Sr., sister Shelby Arola, his maternal grandparents, Stan and Francis...