Mr. Allan Thomas Chernoff

Mr. Allan Thomas Chernoff(aka Zeke, as he liked to be called) was a very wise,patient, and kind man who liked to spend his time creating or inventing things. Allan preferred to live in a world of harmony where everything around him made sense. A free spirit, and believed that actions definitely spoke for themselves and never had one enemy in his entire life. He seemed to know what fit and what didn’t fit in everything he did. Zeke perceived that all of life’s possibilities were open to him, yet he lived with a definite sense of purpose and to be happy and content with what he had.

      Allan was born on May 21, 1925 at on the Chernoff family homestead in Runneymede, Saskatchewan (the original settlement of Tombovka was situated here) where his father and grandparents broke the land and they were one of the first immigrant families to the area from Tflisi,Province of Georgia, Russia in 1898-1899. In In those days birth certificate's specifically stated exactly where you were born, Allan's(Zeke's) stated Section 3, Township TP 29, Range RGE 31, West of the 1st Meridian. His father, Timothy Wasyl, taught and guided him everything in his early life, being the youngest he got along great with him. His mother, Pauline, died around 60 years of age when Allan was in his early 20's. In the 1940's she was diagnosed with diabetes and insulin had JUST been discovered, but it was too little too late for her. Near the end Allan and his brother Sam helped care for her until she passed away in Allan's arms. His father was at his older brother Nick's funeral at that time and couldn't be there with them. Allan was raised in on the same family farm near Runneymede and Kamsack where his parents and grandparents originally settled. As a young child, Allan was optimistic in his outlook. He sought out the possibilities in a given situation and looked for ways to apply his creative energies. Allan rarely calling attention to himself, but when he did speak out, his message was clearly understood by those around him.

      Early on in his family relationships, Allan showed that he was a tolerant and flexible person, and he got along very well with everyone nor did he judge anybody. He was raised with eight siblings. He had four older brothers, Fred, Nicholos, Tom and Sam and four older sisters, Annie, Mary, Helen and Pearl and then came Allan the youngest of nine. He was a calm and playful child who was adaptable to any situation.

      As he was growing up, Allan developed into a person who enjoyed physically doing things who worked hard on that farm. While in school, Allan took part in baseball with a make shift field he and his friends made and enjoyed tobagganing on those old wooden ones that curled up at the end. In his spare time he loved to play his harmonica - the very first wooden one he got as a prize in a Pink Elephant Popcorn box, he was thrilled with it. He was also a good sharp shooter with his self-made slingshots that he would bug and harass the farm animals with, especially the horses. Allan was also a little devious in the fact that he would steel the eggs from the laying hens and sold them for his spending money, he would laugh when he told this story to everyone because he said, "the old man could never figure out why the hens weren't laying eggs anymore"! Allan's memorable achievements included learning to play his harmonica by ear because after he received this musical instrument, it struck his attention and he just started playing "by ear" and to certain tunes in his head. However, to Allan, the most fun he had was simply playing his harmonica, spending time with friends, and having a drink.

      In his school years, Allan showed an interest in learning and his favourite classes were math, science, spelling and latin-which he remembered a little bit until his final days. At times, school learning did not provide Allan with sufficient challenges, but being an avid reader, he would read whatever he could find when he wasn't busy with the farm and read well above his grade level. His favourite teacher was Miss Ruth Nadane. This teacher actually came to the Chernoff reunion on the family farm in 1997 and this was the first time he saw her since he went to school, he couldn't believe she was still alive, and a picture was taken of both of them. He did not graduate from high school but, made it to grade 10 which was a wonderful feat in those days,but, he was needed on the family farm when his mother started to become sick.

       Allan was somewhat shy and a sensitive person who never forced his opinions and values on others. Close friends knew that his kindness was unmatched, and once you became a friend of Allan’s, you understood how true a friend he could be. While growing up, some of his best friends were Joe Toffin, Phil Kurenoff, Peter Derhousoff, Joe Zalinski, and Bill and Tony Wasilinski. They shared many great times, stories and stayed friends way into the teenage years. When Allan would return for a visit throughout the years he would run into one of them now and then and reminise. Later in life, he became friends with his wife Verna's brother Billy and brother-in-laws, Charlie Bennett, Gerry Gara, Mike Vereschagin, and Mike Woronuik in Saskatchewan. They generally would be in each others' company whenever their wives- and Billy would quite often get together for a family gathering at the in-laws. They were close and would have a great time together having a glass or two, no more than three glasses of beausejour wine better known as "porch climber". Then after moving to Cawston, BC, Allan got to know Pete Remizove who also lived Cawston. He was proud of his heritage, spoke it fluently and the two could relate to each other right away because Pete could speak Russian fluently too.

      Lets turn now to Allan's "courting days"...Allan thought it was time to settle down. One day he spotted his future wife Verna and her best friend Betty walking into a restaurant and decided he and the Chutskoff boys would also go in, introduce themselves and join the gals at their table and the rest was history. After their courtship they got married on July 4, 1955 which was a beautiful summer day. Allan exchanged wedding vows with his life partner Verna May Kazakoff at the Kamsack United Church one of the oldest churches in town. The reception followed at the family farm were there was plenty to eat and drink, some gifts they received were live chickens too! The honeymoon was to be at Madge Lake. Allan forgot to get the key to his brother Fred's cabin there. So he decided he would lift Verna into the window at the side of the cabin, the neighbors saw somebody called the police and they showed up. Allan had to explain himself and what he was doing, after hearing this the police had a laugh, saw Verna in her wedding dress, and decided to help him and Verna into the cabin! They settled on the farm which was vast size, some was inherited and some was bought. Each quarter and half section that was bought was simply named after the previous owner so when you were "on the field" everyone knew by name where you were. The names were Aida's, Pete's, Mike's, Rapchak's, Devries, the Hills, the Home Quarter, East of the Cemetery, the Gravel Pit and The Flats; all this land represented approximately 3500 acres of land owned worked by the Chernoff family.

      Allan was exceptionally sympathetic and compassionate when it came to his children. He gave his family unconditional love and kindness, and spent time with them whenever it was possible. Allan and Verna were blessed with three children, Dale, Karen and Joannie whom have fond memories of him growing up. A few stories they would like to share. Dale recollects a time when he wanted to go the lake to a dance/caberet in1972. His Dad was out on the field, it was about 5 pm and he was anxious to go party. Apparently Date said dad ran out of gas, and had to walk back 5 miles to the farm. When he go there he said they needed to go with a pail of gas to refuel the tractor. They arrived and it took quite awhile to prime and refill the engine, Dale became impatient and mentioned to hurry because all his buddies were already partying at the lake. Allan thought he was making good time, and walks over to Dale and cuff's him upside the head meaning an attitude adjustment was in order and nothing was going to happen until it started. After several attempts the tractor started. Dale FINALLy went to lake albeit late, and he remember his Dad saying, "the wrong gas in in the car so if you get stopped you pay the fine!"

One of Karen's memories is when she was 14 yrs she decided to drive the car which was parked right by the house., She didn't get permission from either parent, but, was very independant at the time and had this brain wave. She was baysitting Joannie and had her sitting beside her in the car which she loved to drive. Allan was in the yard working not far out of sight and Verna was in the house cooking. Karen thought she put the car in drive, it was reverse and all of a sudden there was a big bang against the hour. Verna comes running out of the house calling for Allan and wondering what was going on. After that episode Karen paid particular attention to what gear she put the car in and received a bit of a tongue lashing.

Joannie's remembers some stories too. When she figured it was time to drive when she was 14 also, and her dad decided how to teach her to do burnouts in old green white dodge in BC. Her dad also chaparoned a camput out with her and 4 buds, they brought a bottle vodka, drank it that night, Zeke wanted a shot so they told him the bottle floated down the river, he spent an hours looking for it, the girls felt truly bad too. Zeke had nine grandchildren whom he enjoyed spending time with whenever possible, Monty, Dale Ian, Brady, Jordon, Jodi, Andrea, Alexander, Alivia. Allan meant the world to his grandchildren. He would teach the boys the fine art of learning to smoke and drink at a good age when they would go for their walks for few hours and everyone would wonder where they had gotten to. A special note should be mentioned of the arrival of his great-granddaughters, Kinsley Ryan (Brady & Venessa) who was born about 2 months(July 2009) after his passing, Emily Jade (Monty & Lynn) in February 2010 and, Dale Ian & Jenn's new arrival due in October 2010.

      Allan found ways to enjoy what he did for a living. He worked hard and did his best to succeed every day. His primary occupation was farming and raising polled herefords some of which were sold in the USA and became prized hereford show bulls. Some of his most prestigious awards included ones that were earned with his brother Sam when they owned Chernoff Bros. Polled Herfeford Farm. They often placed among the top 3 in Stock Shows and Sales throughout Southern Saskatchewan, and the northern United States. He was very proud of this accomplishment and spoke of it often. He was self-employed for most of his life on the family farm inherited from his father. It should be known also that at this time one of Allan's asperations in life was to become an RCMP officer in his late teens early twenties. He applied and would have passed but much to his disappointment he was turned down because he was told he was too thin, his destiny was to be on the family farm. When he moved to BC with his wife Verna he was in his fifties and he worked as an orchardist for 10 years which he totally enjoyed and came to love the BC weather and climate. By this time, and then, upon moving to Calgary, he worked in the automotive business with his son Dale as a driver, partsman and his right hand man, but, Allan (Zeke) sometimes got way layed by stopping at the Casino when he could sneak there and Dale would be wondering where he was. Everyone at the shop got to know him, became his friend and enjoyed his company, he officially retired at the age of 70.

       Although he wanted to very much, Allan did not actively serve in the war because if you were farming you weren't - drafted. Instead of serving in the war, Allan remained farming on the homestead where he helped supply the rest of the country with much needed wheat and produce to keep Canadians fed so there would be no shortage of food at that time.

       His favorite pursuits were playing his harmonica as much as he could, playing cards and saving the farm by eliminating pesky little gopher's that would try to ruin the crops and dig holes in the fields. He also liked to hunt every fall, teaching his son the finest skills as a marksman. He was relaxed in his approach to his leisure time because he wanted to savor the present moment. While still living yet in Saskatachewan, Zeke was an active member of the 4H Beef Club and along with Verna taught Dale and Karen what the judges would look for in judging the steers, they won Grand Champion and Grand Champion Reserve simultaneously, how proud the parents were. He was very strict with this because it meant the kids would earn alot of money. He said they would look for the stance, how they would lead, how clean the coat was and the over health of the animal. One of Zeke's favorite animals was Jenny, a shetland pony which he road to school whom he said had a real personality, would obey all commands, he had her for 9 years and believe it or not a bull named "Chum" because Zeke said he would chum around with you and follow you around the yard.

       Zeke would have loved to go to college but during his day it was neither accessable or feasible. In Cawston and Keremeos he belonged to the Sportsman Assocation and would go with his buddy Pete once a week to practice shooting at the local Packing House fruit storage, then off to the Legion for a quick beer. In Calgary, when possible before Allan got sick in 1999 he would go for a walk once a day to buy his 649 lottery tickets, making a homemade Cameo tobacco rollie and just enyoying life. Along these walks and others he would alway find some money, either a quarter here or there or whatever would catch his eye. Over the years he saved all that he found and accumulated a few quart sized jars full of coins and some buttons, even some jewellery. He had great eye sight until he acquired Macular Degeneration which tooks its toll in his right eye until the end of his life when it looked like he was winking at you! Zeke was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were watching the Kentucky Derby, his love for horses never wavered. He especially liked watching the Stanley Cup final and as usual placing a 5 dollar bet with whoever would challenge him.

        Zeke and his father Wasyl founded the "Yearly Onion Forecaster's Crop Prediction" which has been passed down to his kids. This involved gathering some good sized onions and peeling the skins off each one and placing 12 onion skins in a muffin tin. Each muffin cup was labelled with the 12 months of the year. He would then add a pinch of salt into each skin and leave it overnight. In the morning he would observe how much liquid each onion skin had acquired overnight. Depending on how much water was formed in each skin told the story of how much moisture there would be for that month. This would tell the story of how good the crops would also be. His son-in-law tricked him one year and filled a couple onions to the brim with water so when Zeke got up and looked he just about fell off his chair and couldn't understand how that much water could accumulate overnight. They got along great and Gary soon realized how unique a person Zeke really was, they were also roommates when they moved to Calgary and what tails they would tell!!! Politically, Allan sincerely admired Tommy Douglas' idiologies and beliefs in the day and later in life when a person decided to discuss politics with him Tommy' name would always come up in discussion. Allan’s faith was important to him. He was a very spiritual man in his own way and believed the good Lord was at work.

       Zeke's favorite vacations included Florida when he stuck his big to in the Atlantic Ocean and sampled some alligator, much to his disliking and after stating a few choice words, he claimed he would stick to beef instead. He and Verna did venture on a couple bus tours to Reno and Las Vegas and winning the penny slots, which he loved. This we have to honestly say was one of the highlights of his life and he would talk for hours about how he hit the penny slots and the lights and bells would go off, he liked the excitement.

When Zeke eventully retired in part because he was 70, and had Macular Degeneration- his vision became limited and could no longer drive for Dale at the shop he had hopes of someday retiring back in BC which he loved. In retirement he & Verna found pleasure in playing the slots at the casino and going to Calgary Stampede Park to watch and bet on the horse races, to which Verna would have to put a limit on how much he spent! Even in retirement, he continued to stay in touch with his old friends in BC and Saskatchewan. In these later chapters of his life, feeling fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him and simply enjoying what he had worked so hard to attain. He and Verna would sit outside on warm summer nights under the gazebo and reminise about the old days and enjoy each others company.

      Zeke passed away on May 18, 2009 at Rockyview Hospital in Calgary, Alberta. He fought a brave and valliant battle against heart and lung disease for those 10 years. He had a quadruple bypass and a defibrillator inserted in his chest in 1999 after collapsing on one of his walks from the mall. Verna looked after him tirelessly during this time and was a stong advocate for his health issues until the very end. In February 2009 after an agonizing decision on Verna's part and seeing him in excruciating pain, he had to be admitted to the hospital due to a very painful back issue that at that point had nothing to do with his heart and lungs. Once there his condition was compounded by internal organ complications. During Easter weekend, 2009 he successfully fought off double pneumonia. On the May long weekend Joannie and Gary and family decided to come out and visit to celebrate his early birthday on May 21 and Verna's on May 24, the family threw a party at the hospital on Sunday, May 17 for both of them. The next morning after seeing all his family the day before, he passed away peacefully in his sleep, his pain was over. As much as we didn't want to see him go we knew in our hearts it was his time and he was tired, there's a poem that has a line that reads, "Why cry for soul set free for we all must take this road alone". He knew how much he was loved by his family. We all agree that he's forever in our memory and hearts like a classic John Wayne western movie, the way he would have wanted to be. A Celebration of Zeke's Life was held at South Calgary Funeral Centre. He requested and was laid to rest in Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Kelowna, BC. He always said BC was Cherry Country, he loved the weather and everything about it. For people unable to make the service or read his obituary we've added it here, please read on:

CHERNOFF, Allan Thomas - Sadly and with much love we announce the passing of Allan (aka Zeke) on May, 2009 who passed away peacefully in his sleep at Rockyview Hospital at the age of 83 years. He is survived by his wife Verna, the love of his live, who were married for 54 years, son Dale (Leslie) of Calgary, Karen also of Calgary, Joannie (Gary) of Kelowna, grandchildren Monty (Lynn), Dale Ian (Jenn), Brady (Venessa), Jordon, Jodi, Alexander, Andrea, Alivia and look forward to the birth of his great-granddaughter in July. Predeceased by his parents Timothy & Pauline and by his siblings, Annie, Mary, Helen, Pearl, Nick, Fred, Tom, Sam and the youngest of nine children, this closing the family dynasty. Although Allan had declining health the last 10 years he always kept a positive attitude with his beloved wife and soul-mate Verna by his side at all times. He was born in Kamsack, Saskatchewan on May 21, 1925. Allan farmed in the Runneymede area with his brother Sam on the family farm. He and his family left i 1974 to live in Cawston, BC., eventually moving to Calgary to be near his family. He loved to play his harmonica and always kept it near him, also liked playing cards and watching a good west movie and his favourite-Lawrence Welk on Saturday night.

      Allan was a good man, a kind man, and a practical man who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being warm and deeply caring. He leaves behind him a treasury of life-long friendships and wonderful memories. He gave as much as he was able to and was a practical and loving person. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Mr. Allan Thomas Chernoff (aka Zeke) Cheers, just as he would want it!!!