December 6, 2019
It is with the deepest sadness we share the news of Carmel Peter Korotash's passing, after a lengthy illness, in Kelowna BC on December 6th, 2019. He was born in Rorketon, Manitoba.
Carmel attended the University of Manitoba where he obtained his BA B Ed and where he met his future bride Maureen Anne Korotash (Freeborn). They married in July 1967 and moved to Trail BC shortly after to start their life together. He lived and worked there until his retirement. He was the father to one daughter, fully grown but forever and always his little girl, Shana-Richelle Korotash and will eternally be lovingly remembered by his close-knit immediate family, his wife and daughter were his entire world until the day of his passing.
He was actively involved in coaching and community service during the years he lived in the Trail area. Montrose Community Chest, Heart and Stroke, Beaver Valley Regional District and was a member of the Jaycee's Service Club for several years. He taught and shaped hundreds of students throughout his 35 year career. He dedicated countless hours to coaching, volleyball, basketball and track and field.
Carmel loved playing hockey, curling, cross country and downhill skiing. He cherished his time on the boat and enjoyed packing a lunch and taking his family out on the water at Christina Lake. He always looked forward to summer break and getting the motorhome off the blocks, washed and gassed up. He enjoyed navigating the freeways of Los Angeles in the motorhome a little less. He, the family and the motorhome made it all the way across Canada, stopping at historical sites and finding hidden spots to celebrate summer birthdays and his July Anniversary. His very favourite spot was Hawaii, coincidentally also the only spot you'd see him slow down, sit down, relax and enjoy.
Carmel and Maureen moved to Kelowna in 2007 to be closer to better health care, and his daughter residing in Vancouver. Carmel will forever be remembered for his kind and gentle way and for worrying about everyone else before himself; this included, his family, his friends and strangers he would never get to know.
He was predeceased by his brother, Ben and sisters, Nellie, Sue and Eileen.
He is survived by his wife Maureen, his daughter Shana and sisters, Ann, Rosemond, Caroline and Mavis. He has many nieces and nephews that loved him dearly.
Carmel has been cremated and a grave-side memorial will be planned at the Rossland Cemetery in the summer of 2020.
"I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.
I thought of you yesterday and days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name,
all I have are memories and a picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake from which we'll never part,
God has you in his arms, we hold you in our hearts".
For messages of condolence, please email mkorotash@shaw.ca and/or srkorotash@gmail.com