Wasilenchuk
Nelson
William
Sept 27, 1942 - May 23, 2009
Passed away peacefully, after a brief battle with gastric stomach cancer.
Nelson leaves behind to mourn his wife Karen, daughter Angela (Mark) daughter Natasha (Christopher) and son Chris (Jen). Also his six grandchildren: Pauli, Annika, Karika, Xavier, Kristin & Lindsay whom he adored & loved so much.
Nelson was born in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, the 10th child of 11 children to John & Jenny Wasilenchuk. He was predeceased by his father John, his mother Jenny, brother Nicholas, sister Mary, sister Victoria and brother-in-law Stan.
Nelson moved from Saskatchewan at a young age to find work. He worked in Thompson, Manitoba for International Nickel Co. Then moved to Revelstoke, B.C. where he worked for the Dept. of Northern Affairs helping construct the Avalanche Research Station while Rogers Pass was still under construction. Wanting to work his way west, he then moved to Campbell River & lived with his brother Mike. During this time, Nelson then went to vocational school in Nelson, B.C. to take Millwrighting at Nelson Vocational School. He passed all his tests with high marks and went all over B.C. to try & get a job in that field, but no one was hiring at the time so he ended up back in Campbell River and got on at Crown Zellerbach working in the sawmill dept.
In 1964 he met the woman of his dreams, Karen, and started dating. In 1967 they married and started building a life together. They had 3 children. Angela born in 1970. Natasha was born the following year in 1971. And finally in 1975 they had the son they so desired named Christopher, who was his father’s pride & joy! Their family was now complete.
Karen hated that Nelson worked shift work at the mill, so Nelson decided at that time to switch vocations and went into construction. He worked for Ernie Polglase Construction and helped to build what is now the C.R. Art Gallery and many other such buildings. After that he decided to branch out on his own and start a construction business and built many spec homes and custom homes in and around Campbell River. Nelson was known by many for his honesty, integrity, and dependability. He worked hard to serve many customers and built a loyal client during the later years, when he switched from building homes to renovating. He always took pride in all he did.
Nelson enjoyed family “first” and was the greatest husband, father and grandfather to all his six grandchildren. He was also the greatest uncle and brother to his family. He built playhouses, birdhouses, doghouses, doll furniture, bookcases, doll beds, a zip-line and tire swing for the grandchildren, a tree house, and many, many more things for all to enjoy. He loved classical music, ethnic music, cooking, gardening, walking, hiking in the woods, and travelling with Karen and also his family. Some of his best times were when he was with his family. He was a gentle man with a heart of gold , that gave so much to everyone & always put himself last. He made the “best” smoked salmon as his friends & family can attest, cabbage rolls, chow mein, teriyaki chicken, homemade chicken noodle soup, the best BBQ burgers...(ask Mark & Chris), and his confetti cake and famous “crepes” that all the grandchildren loved. Nelson also built the home he lived in & shared with his family and they have 34 years of happy memories & good times shared there. The grandchildren will miss all the bonfires Papa had with them, and Papa pushing them on the tire swing & the zip-line he built especially for them. He was indeed their everyday “hero”.
Nelson I’ve learned the full meaning of caring and sharing and having all my dreams come true. I’ve learned the full meaning of being in love....by being and loving with you. Thank you for all the beautiful memories that I will cherish forever my darling. You will be missed by all & never forgotten......
A special “thank-you” to all the nursing staff on 3 south and 3 north for all their care and compassion during the days Nelson was in the hospital. Our family will never forget all that you did to make Nelson’s last days comfortable. Also to Dr. Latham, Dr. Minnear and Dr. Prinsloo for all that you tried to do to help our family through this horrible tragedy.
A celebration of Nelson’s life will be held on Monday, June 1, 2009 at
11:00 a.m. at the Willow Point Hall with a reception to follow.