Biography of Nick Harry Kanigan

Nick Harry Kanigan was born on October 19, 1915 to Annie and Harry Kanigan in Kamsack, Saskatchewan. Nick lived in Kylemore, Saskatchewan with his brothers Fred, Peter, and his sister Gertie. Nick was a great grandson to Romasha Kanigan.

As a child Nick went to school where he completed grade 4. He grew up on a farm with sheep, cows, horses and chickens and learned to care for the animals and helped on the farm at an early age. By the age of 8, he was plowing the land.

In 1932, at the age of 17, Nick first laid eyes on Dora Popoff. Two years later, Nick formally met Dora at a casual gathering. They courted for 3 years and got married on April 25, 1937. Soon afterwards, they moved to British Columbia where they settled on a farm in Appledale. Together Nick and Dora lovingly raised four children: Laura, Florence, Nicky, and Ellie.

Nick's early working career consisted of delivering railroad ties, transporting firewood, food and supplies to the interned Japanese people when they came into the Slocan area, and delivering dairy products for the Rossland Dairy farm. Nick also worked for his dad (Harry Kanigan's and Sons) for a short period of time. In 1945, Nick received his high pressure welding ticket. Nick was hard working and very passionate about his welding. In the early 1950's Nick went to work for Cady which later became Burns Lumber Company in Passmore (which then became Slocan Forest Products) as a heavy-duty mechanic. In 1953, Nick took a leave of absence from Burns Lumber at which time Nick and Dora lived for a short time in Penticton where Nick worked as a mechanic and Dora worked in the orchards. Upon returning to the Slocan Valley, Nick built his own mechanic shop and had a gas pump and service station just below their home in Appledale. Nick then returned to work at Burns Lumber/Slocan Forest. He would put in a full day at Slocan Forest and then come home and spend many hours working in his mechanic shop. Nick retired from Slocan Forest Products at the age of 68.

Over the years, Nick and Dora had the opportunity to do some traveling with their family. They went to California, Mexico, Portland and Saskatchewan. There were many wonderful family memories from these trips. Nick also had the opportunity to travel to Russia and South America in the 1950's.

Nick first became a member of the USCC in 1938. He was involved in the inception of the Union of Youth Council created by Peter P. "Chistiakov" Verigin. Nick was also an active member of the Human Rights and Social Justice Working Group. Nick's involvement in the community was always evident through his life. Nick was also instrumental in the construction of the Appledale Hall in the 1980's.

Nick had strong beliefs in the words and ideals of the Doukhobor leaders and he was always concerned on the fate of the Doukhobor people. He strived to live his life according to Doukhobor principles and worked towards teaching his children and grandchildren to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. He tried to instill, through living by example, the value of prayer through song, the importance of pacifism and living a simple non-materialistic life. Nothng pleased Nick more than to have family and friends join together in song.

In 1998, Nick and Dora decided to move closer to South Slocan to be closer to the services and care they required. In January 2001, his wife Dora passed away suddenly. Nick continued to live on his own in their home until March 2008 when Nick experienced health problems and moved to Talarico Place in Castlegar. There he adjusted well to the change in his lifestyle. He made new friends, visited with old friends, and enjoyed his short walks and the singing sessions with his sister Gertie.

On Saturday July 19, 2008 Nick suffered a stroke and was transferred to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital where he passed away peacefully on July 25, 2008 at the age of 92. He is survived by his 4 children: daughter Laura Katelnikoff of South Slocan, daughter Florence and husband Bill Kinakin of Glade, son Nick Kanigan and wife Margaret of Winlaw, daughter Ellie and husband Michael Davidoff of Ootischenia; eleven grandchildren: Warren, Lloyd, Dan, Stesha and partner Garett, Jake and partner Jen, Marla and husband Cary, Karyn and husband Robert, Nikki and husband Dave, Colleen and husband Daniel, Mark and wife Tammy, Jonathan and friend Tasha, nine great-grandchildren: Nathan, Jared, Brandan, Megan, Rosa, Dharia, Peter, Simon, and Matthew; sister Gertie Konkin, brother Peter Kanigan, brother-in-law Alex and wife Mary Popoff of Kelowna, sister-in-law Mary Popoff from Robson and many nieces and nephews.

Nick was predeceased by his brother Fred in 1943, his Dad Harry in 1953, his mother Anne in 1972, sister-in-law Mabel in 1977, his wife Dora in 2001, his brother-in-law Fred in 2004, his son-in-law Walter in 2006, and his brother-in-law Andy in 2006.

Funeral services for Nick were held on July 28, 2008 at the Castlegar Funeral Chapel and on July 29, 2008 at the Appledale Hall with interment at the Perry Siding Community Cemetery.

On behalf of the family we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Kirstin and Dr. Malpass, Dr. Merritt, Dr. Trenholm, Dr. Laroche and Dr. Kozak, staff at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital and all the staff at Talarico Place for the care Nick received. We would also like to thank the Castlegar Funeral Chapel for their assistance, the psalm singers, the Appledale Ladies for cooking a wonderful meal, the gravediggers for preparing Nick's final resting place and those who called or expressed their condolences to the family after his passing.

Nick will be sadly missed by all of us and his memory
will remain strong with us forever.

May God embrace Nick in his light and grant him eternal peace.

*Obituary from Castlegar News, August 21, 2008