FOREVER FISHING Dry Gulch resident Harry Kashuba is remembered fondly by family and friends across the Columbia Valley.Submitted photo
Harry William Kashuba was born on the family farm in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on February 6th, 1935 to Steve and Rose. He was the youngest to his eldest sister Mary, and twins Michael and Joanne. His parents had emigrated from the Ukraine to Smoky Lake, Alberta in the early 1900s.
He attended Trafalgar School and after obtaining Grade 10, he quit school and went to work on the oil rigs for a few years. Later he turned his interests to carpentry.
In 1953, he met Dolly Smith, and on October 5th, 1955, they were married. They both continued to work in Lloydminster until 1957, when they decided to move to Radium Hot Springs. They helped Harrys parents operate Sunnyside Trailer Court & Grocery Store & Gas Station. In the winter months, Harry worked for Kootenay National Park as a contract carpenter.
By 1965, he and Dolly had three children: Greg, Julie and Rod. They bought their home, where Dolly still lives today.
In 1967, Steve and Rose retired, and Harry and Dolly purchased the business from them. Camping in those days was very popular from May to September, and kept them very busy. In the off-season, Harry worked in construction, contracting his services to jobs like the new Invermere Arena, and the CPR overpass in Athalmer. He also worked part-time for Revelstoke sawmills.
You could always find Harry and his family skiing at Panorama on weekends, especially if there was fresh snow. In those days, heli-skiing was becoming very popular. Harry and his friends would on occasion tag along with Roger Madson.
One sunny afternoon on a trip, the helicopter they were flying in crashed hard on a glacier. No one was seriously injured, but the helicopter was badly damaged. Skiing out was the only option, and the pilot had never skied before. Harry and the guide each gave him one ski and one boot. While each skied out on one ski, shortly before reaching the warming hut, the pilot fell and broke his leg. It was late that evening before everyone was safe. Harry never went heli-skiing again.
In 1977, the Sunnyside store was closed, and he went to work full-time for Revelstoke Sawmills. The campground remained open in the summer months.
In 1991, open-heart surgery forced him in to retirement, but it never slowed him down. He always had something to do, whether it was helping someone, fixing or building, hunting, fishing or getting firewood. He always kept busy, and could often be found at his shop crafting something.
Spending time with his family was very important. If he could help one of the kids, grandkids, or great-grandkids, he always jumped at the chance, even if it meant missing out on a good fishing trip. Family fishing trips year-round were a favourite of his, which began with his famous words: What do you know about fishing anyway? and You are about to be out-fished!, which was usually true.
A new cabin at White Swan Haven was built in the fall of 1998. This will remain a very cherished place for his family to enjoy.
He has countless friends in this valley, many of whom hes known for more than 50 years. Dropping in for a visit, going for coffee or simply chatting on a trip to town was always a daily occurrence.
Harry and his good friend Bill were taken tragically in a boating accident at Sams Folly Lake on October 19th, 2013.
Gramps will be forever loved and dearly missed.
