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April 9, 1947 - October 15, 2019
Patrick Poznikoff was born April 9, 1947 at the Slocan Community Hospital in New Denver, British Columbia to parents Alec and Molly Poznikoff. Pat grew up in Hills, B.C. and attended school at New Denver Elementary and Lucerne High School. He excelled in sports particularly wrestling, basketball and soccer.
In 1963, Pat took his first job on the Knight Farm near Calgary, Alberta. He quit school in the fall of 1964 and went to work for Canadian Pacific Railway in Nelson as an apprentice car mechanic. In September of 1965, Pat joined his brother Ken on the Arrow Lakes Tugboats for Celgar Woodlands Division. Pat continued to work on the tugboats for 38 years and retired in 2003 as a Tugboat Skipper.
On one faithful day in 1968, Patrick and his friends were driving down the road in Crescent Valley and saw a group of girls hitchhiking. The boys stopped and gave the girls a ride. Irene Sherbinin climbed in the back and set eyes on Patrick and it was love at first sight. From then on, Pat and Irene were inseparable. On October 09, 1971, Pat and Irene were married. They lived in Nelson for the first three years of their marriage and spent their days working, Pat on the tugboats and Irene as a hair stylist. Their free time and weekends were spent occupied with building and drag- racing hot rods; a 1967 Plymouth GTX and a 1957 Chevy Wagon (The Green Machine). Pat raced the 1/4 mile and Irene dragged in the Lady Powder Puff Division.
In November of 1974 Pat and Irene welcomed their first child, Nicole. The Poznikoff's decided that, with starting a family, they needed a home with space to put down roots, so they bought a piece of property at the Playmor Junction. Pat loved brick structures and searched throughout the Kootenays looking for bricks to recycle from old heritage buildings. He found bricks from local homes, the old Kootenay General Hospital, the Playmor Dance Hall, the School District and Marcus, Washington. He brought them back, cleaned them and utilized them in the construction of their dream home. Shortly before they moved in, they welcomed their second child Scott born in August 1978 and then Cheryl in January 1981.
Patrick loved the Slocan Valley and always felt connected to the valley lakes and streams. In 1983, Pat, his brother Ken and 6 other cousins purchased 250 acres at Summit Lake, B.C. It was their dream to build a campground where they could enjoy their love of the outdoors with family and friends. In June 1986 they opened Three Islands Resort.
Throughout his life, Pat cherished his family and his time at Summit Lake. He enjoyed fishing, boating and meeting people from all walks of life. He was passionate about the land and took pride in being the Resort's grounds keeper. Pat was a voracious reader, reading local and provincial newspapers and often reading 2-5 books a week.
On October 9, 2019 Pat and Irene celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.
Pat passed away surrounded by family on October 15, 2019 after a 14-year courageous battle with cancer.
Patrick was pre-deceased by his parents, Alec and Molly Poznikoff, in-laws Peter and Helen Sherbinin, brother in-law John Hlookoff, brother in-law Mickey Shkuratoff, sister in-law Barbara Poznikoff, and son in-law Johnny Hadikin.
Patrick is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Irene Poznikoff, children Nicole (Mike) Talarico, Scott (Chelsea) Poznikoff and Cheryl (Chris) Teske, grandchildren Brooklyn and Sophia Talarico, Samantha, Jackson and Gracelyn Poznikoff, Alexander and Mason Teske, his brother Ken Poznikoff, sister in-law Charlotte Hlookoff, brother in law Collin (Kathy) Sherbinin, sister in-law Nettie Shkuratoff and many nieces and nephews.
Rest in peace our husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and beautiful soul. We will never forget you. You will always be in our hearts and prayers. We will love you forever.
A celebration of Patrick's life will be held in the summer of 2020 at Summit Lake.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Christopher Cochrane for his understanding and care, the Kootenay Lake and Arrow Lakes Hospital staff, Nelson Clinic Pharmacy (Andrew and staff), Nelson Home Support and the Castlegar Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Patrick's life can be made to Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, 3 View Street, Nelson, B.C V1L 2V1. Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.


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