January 29, 1941 - March 21, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
Leonard (Len) Julian Strilchuk passed away on March 21st at the age of 82 from advanced melanoma.
Len will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years Carolynn (Pierce) Strilchuk, his three children Tracy Strilchuk, Kim Strilchuk, and Todd Strilchuk (Kelli Sullivan) and his four grandchildren Scott Stussi and Meghan Stussi (Tracy) and Cole Strilchuk and Connor Strilchuk (Todd).
He will also be missed by his brother Elvin Strilchuk and his sister Frances Mitchell as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Len was predeceased by his mother Mary (Karpowich) Strilchuk and Julian Strilchuk.
Len was born in 1941 and spent his childhood on the family farm in Grindrod. There he took on the daily work of tending to the cows, pigs, and chickens as well as the seasonal work of haying and harvesting. His free times were spent on family picnics, swimming, playing softball, and hiking the many hills around Grindrod.
After graduating from high school Len continued his education at UBC where he graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree (and later earned his Professional Engineering designation). While at university he met and married his wife, Carolynn. After both graduating, they lived briefly in Nanaimo before moving to Vancouver where their three children were born.
Len worked at Ocean Cement and then taught at BCIT. In 1974 Len and Carolynn moved to Coldstream where they enjoyed raising their children, spending quality time with their four grandchildren and appreciating all the best of nature that the area had to offer.
Len worked briefly for a small engineering firm before starting his own business Kal Engineering where he worked until his retirement.
Len was many things. He was kind, smart, patient, quirky, and loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends and anyone he met even once. He was always willing to help friends and strangers alike.
He also loved thinking and analyzing almost any idea or topic that grabbed his interest. He would share his unique ideas with anyone willing to listen and debate. Len's most recent and extensive topic was about gravity for which he wrote and self-published a book.
One of Len's greatest passions was singing and playing the guitar. He learned to play when he was a teenager, and music was something that followed him throughout his entire life. While at UBC he earned the nickname "Strum" for playing at all the university sing alongs. Later, when his children were young, he would sing and play guitar to help them fall asleep at night. In his late 40's and early 50's he sang at local restaurants and events. Before his passing he would sing and tell stories about various musicians at seniors' homes.
In his retirement years, Len loved walking with his daughter's dogs (first Murphy, and then Charlie) and visiting with everyone he met along the way. Nature, especially animals, was always a huge part of his youth and he continued to appreciate nature during his neighbourhood walks around the orchards, lakes, and forests.
To honour Len's life, a small family gathering will take place at a later time.
The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the BC Cancer Society or the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation in Len's name.