It is with profound sadness that the family of Allan Pasichnyk announces his peaceful passing into the arms of the Lord at the Ridgeway Lodge in Kamloops on August 12, 2024. Allan lived a long, fruitful life filled with love and generosity.
Allan was born on October 14, 1931, near Sheho, SK and was raised on his parents’ farm, along with his brother and sisters. From an early age Allan learned on the farm the value of hard work, which carried him throughout his life. Allan later moved to Yorkton, SK with his family where he attended school and played various sports, like football and baseball, which he loved. In 1959 Allan married Doreen Malinsky and settled into married life. Allan worked as a highway patrolman, a driving instructor, as well as at the stockyards until he decided it was time for a new adventure and moved with his wife and young son, Oless, to BC in 1969, settling in Squamish. Allan took various jobs, (some of which were considered beneath his abilities), such as at the British Columbia Railway (BCR) and the Wood Fiber mill, just to put food on the table for his growing family, which now included the addition of son Mark. Allan worked hard (as was his nature) during the day, after work he made the long drive to Burnaby from Squamish in order to upgrade his welding tickets at the Pacific Vocational Institute (PVI) and then returned home late at night only to do it all over again the next day. Allan did this until his welding tickets were all upgraded, and eventually moved the family to Mission, BC, and then to Maple Ridge, BC, after securing permanent work as a millwright. After several years Allan was provided the opportunity to teach welding at his former school, PVI, which became the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), where he worked until he retired in 1995. During their time in the Lower mainland of BC, Allan and Doreen became members of the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Vancouver where they unselfishly donated their time and resources. They remained there until they both retired and moved to Kamloops, where Allan built a home on Rivershore golf course to pursue his passion for golf. Allan and Doreen became devoted members of All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kamloops, where Allan shared his beautiful singing voice in the choir and eventually became the cantor. They were a steadfast feature of the Ukrainian community in Kamloops, again donating their time and resources to their new home. Allan was also bestowed the honour receiving the Order of St Andrews for his devotion and tireless efforts to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.
After the passing of Doreen in 2000, Allan met Soula Giftakis in 2003, and after a time they fell in love and were married in 2005. Allan and Soula were kindred spirits in their love and devotion to God. Together they faithfully attended churches and Monasteries, growing ever closer to each other and to God. Soula remained by Allan’s side until his passing on August 12, 2024. Allan was a very spiritual man and his steadfast love for God was the primary driving force in his life. Everything he did centered on his relationship with God. Allan always attributed everything he had to the Glory of God, and in that light he felt it was his duty to always give back to others.
Allan was a talented man for all seasons. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing while enjoying the great outdoors. Allan was also a highly skilled mechanic and fabricator, designing and building vehicles, such as his 1951 International 4×4 truck. He worked on all his own machinery and vehicles, as well as helping to fix machinery and vehicles for others. In addition, Allan was an accomplished aircraft pilot and had acquired his license in his younger years while in Saskatchewan. Allan loved sports and was a great golfer and curler, winning many awards. He loved music, which was another constant in his life. He was a fantastic singer and musician, playing solo or in bands for many years to the delight of all. At parties and get togethers Allan was always the one to provide the musical entertainment, which he dearly loved. Allan also had a profound love for his culture and ancestral home of Ukraine, where he joyfully was able to visit in the mid 1990s. Allan sang in many choirs and his powerful bass voice was enjoyed by many who had the pleasure of hearing him. Allan truly loved the music and traditions of Ukraine, which remained close to his heart… he was a proud Ukrainian!
Allan was predeceased by his beloved wife Doreen (Malinsky) Pasichnyk, parents Michael and Mary Pasichnyk, sister Allwyn (Pasichnyk) Smart and brother Eugene Pasichnyk. Allan is survived by his beloved wife Soula (Giftakis) Pasichnyk, son Oless (Kristin), granddaughter Orysia and grandson Orrin of Mission, BC; son Mark (Holley); grandsons Marley and Nick of Sooke, BC; stepson Yanni Giftakis of Kamloops, BC, and his sister Cecily (Pasichnyk) Zylyk of Kelowna, BC, as well as countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Oless, Mark, and their families would like to extend a special thank you to their stepmother, Soula, for her tireless love and devotion to Allan, as well as to the family. They also wish to thank their stepbrother, Yanni, for his love and devotion to Allan and the family as well. They will remain forever grateful and overjoyed at continuing to share their lives together as a family for many years to come.
The Pasichnyk family would also like to extend a special thank you to family members Myron, Wally, and Brian for their help and support during this time, and to all other family and friends who have been a source of comfort and support as well. They would like to thank Gary, Tonya and Gareth Howell as well as the congregation of St Nicholas Orthodox Mission of Kamloops for their love and support of Allan; Deleah Oliver Nadin for her kindness toward Allan and looking after his home; his neighbours in the community of Rivershore; all the staff at Ridgeview Lodge for their kindness toward Allan while he was in their care, as well as Dr. Smiley along with all of Allan’s healthcare providers.
In Allan’s honour, prayers will be held on August 25th, 2024, at the All-Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1044 8th Street Kamloops, BC, starting 6:30 pm for viewing and 7:00pm for the service. The funeral service will be held on August 26th, 2024, at the same location at 10:00am, officiated by Rev Fr. Chad Pawlyshyn and Fr. Symeon Price, assisted by Fr. Deacon Mark Dumanski. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Hillside Cemetery, 750 Notre Dame Dr Kamloops, BC. After the interment everyone is invited back to the All-Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church for a luncheon in Allan’s honour.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Kamloops Salvation Army and/or to the Mustard Seed Outreach Centre of Kamloops.
For those unable to attend in person the service will be live streamed at Sunday Prayers – https://youtube.com/live/Fv54dukGW8o?feature=share
Monday Funeral – https://youtube.com/live/MW_vV9DiMfs?feature=share and an online guestbook can be accessed at www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com.
Allan was a very kind, humble and generous man who always thought of others before himself and was dearly loved by all that knew him.
“Well done good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord” Matthew 25:23.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
