Zaharichuk, Kost and Katrina

Kost Zaharichuk came to Canada from Mahala, Bucovina in 1912. As a young boy, he had completed school in the village and then was sent to Cernauji where he attended the gymnasia (high school). With his brothers George and Trajan he came to the New World.
In 1913 he married Catrina Michalcheon, daughter of Gheorghe and Pachija Michalcheon who had come to Canada in 1899. They were married in the Boian St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox church and settled on N.E. 1/4-30-56-14 W. of 4th.
Kost spoke German and Romanian fluently and soon began speaking the English language. He believed strongly in education.
They raised two children, Pearl, a daughter, and Tom, a son. Pearl completed her high school in Vegreville and then went on to the U. of A. where she completed her B.A. and B.Ed. degrees, majoring in Latin and French.

Kost farmed till retirement and lived in Willingdon till his death.
Tom married Helen Huculak and they farmed the home place for many years then moved to Victoria,
B.C. Catrina is there too now, where she spends her time embroidering Romanian dolls and sells them or donates them to friends.
Pearl taught high school in Willingdon for three years, then married Leo Kuneluis who became a school superintendent and moved to Westlock. They lived there for 14 years and raised a family of four. In 1955 Leo was appointed high school inspector with his base in Calgary, so the family moved there.
In 1965 Pearl Kunelius was chosen as a delegate to attend the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in New York, representing the Business and Professional Women’s Clubs from across Canada.
While there she talked with many delegates from different countries including the delegate from Romania. After the session Pearl spent many evenings and weekends flying and speaking to Business and Professional Women’s Clubs from Toronto on the East to Victoria on the West.
When Kost and his wife retired they lived in Willingdon a number of years. Later when Kost passed away Catrina lived with her son and his family. When Tom retired they all moved to Victoria, B.C. where they still reside.