PETER CHERNOFF

CHERNOFF, Peter
It is with profound sadness the family of Peter Fred Chernoff announces his passing on Monday, February 10, 2014. Peter was born May 19, 1934 on the family farm at Blaine Lake SK, the second son of Fred and Lucy Chernoff. He walked or rode the horse and buggy to Trinity, the local one room school with his big brother Walter and young sister Mae where he completed grades one to ten, the latter two by correspondence. Peter liked hockey, baseball and riding his bike. As a young boy he was always building, inventing and modifying existing tools and equipment. Peter completed high school in Blaine Lake and went on to Teacher's College, then called Normal School, in Saskatoon. He taught school in various communities in the province. Peter continued his education taking courses by correspondence, attending summer schools and full- time university studies as his budget permitted earning, B.Ed., B.A. and M.Ed. degrees. In 1962 Peter married Irene Smorodin, his sister's university roommate. On a whim, they applied to teach in Canada's arctic, and were both hired by the Canadian government to teach at Sir Alexander MacKenzie School in Inuvik, the then administrative headquarters of the western arctic. Peter was the homeroom teacher of the first grade twelve graduating class north of the Arctic Circle. Peter and Irene left the land of the midnight sun for Nanaimo B.C., then returned to sunny Saskatchewan in 1964 making Regina their forever home. Peter taught chemistry, mathematics, and drafting at Thom, Scott and Johnson collegiates. He enjoyed coaching soccer and junior basketball, and spent many hours as faculty advisor working on school yearbooks. Peter always had time for every student. His family remembers many former students coming to the house for help with first and second year university math and science courses. The greatest joys in Peter's life were his two sons, Robert (Barb) and Gregory (Marina). He was actively involved in all of their activities, school functions, T-ball, baseball, soccer, and especially speed swimming. He was president of the Dolphins Swim Club, worked countless swim meets, and drove countless carpool miles. His pride in their academic achievements, their professional careers, and their families was only exceeded by his love for them, their wives and his most precious Grandson Max (Rob and Barb). Peter and Irene enjoyed competitive sailing. The Last Mountain Lake Sailing club was founded in their living room, and many regattas were run from their cottage at Sask. Beach before the official clubhouse was built. Peter also liked motorcycles, and the Great Plains Beemers Motorcycle club was organized in their living room. Peter and Irene danced with the Wesley Whirlers Square Dance club for 20 years, held various executive positions, and hosted annual club spring barbeques at their cottage. Peter loved their cottage, having built a great portion of it himself. Visitors were always welcome at Peter's home. Peter was a skilled woodworker. He built furniture and cabinets to fit both the house and cottage: but his favorite times were the happy hours spent with his wood lathe, interpreting the grain and colors in natural wood into uniquely beautiful pieces. Peter was a loving, gentle, kind, generous to a fault, forgiving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather to Max, and friend. We will love and miss him forever. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at Regina Funeral Home, Hwy #1 East, Regina, SK on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Donations in memory of Peter may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 279 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H8 and Allan Blair Cancer Centre, 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK S4T 7T1. Arrangements entrusted to