It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Soriat on January 17, 2014. John was born to the late Johann and Anna Soriat in Radegund, Austria on August 14, 1928. He was raised and trained as an electrician in Austria and then immigrated to Canada with a friend in 1951 when he was 23 years old.
John married Elisabeth, his wife of more than 58 years in 1955 and settled in Riondel where he worked at the Blue Bell Mine until it closed. In 1972 he started work at Cominco ‘s Trail Operations and the family moved to Rossland. One year later, in 1973, they moved to Salmo where they bought and managed the Reno Motel while John continued to work at Cominco as an electrician. The 80’s brought the sale of the motel and retirement.
John enjoyed skiing, hiking, and walking with his dog. He belonged to a mountain rescue team in Austria as well as the volunteer fire department in Riondel. He helped install the lighting on the Salmo ski hill, was an active member of his church, and stayed busy helping elderly members of the community throughout his retirement years. He spent many hours in his workshop, puttering or building furniture and other things.
John is survived by his wife Elisabeth, daughter Linda Stensrud and her husband Barry, son John Soriat and his wife Lynn, Grandchildren Mark (Alana), Patty (Jason), Leah (Jesse), Tara, and Jacy, great grandchildren Mason and Carter as well as sister-in-law Helene and Garry Skelton, brother-in-law Fred and Debbie Wacheck, niece Breanna, and nephew Les and family. He is predeceased by his parents, brother Leopold , sisters Annerl and Hedwig and daughter Christine.
A service will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 402 4th Street, Salmo, BC on Friday January 24 at 11:00 am. Following the service, will be an open reception at the home of John and Lynn Soriat, 416 Cady Road, Salmo, BC.
As an expression of sympathy, family and friends may make a donation to The Kootenay Lake District Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society.