January 25, 1946 - June 30, 2018
After a heroic battle with cancer, outliving his initial prognosis by some 15 years, John Cherenko passed peacefully from this world on June 30, 2018.
John worked in his younger days as a cook on fishing boats and as a driver of logging trucks until serious knee injuries in the early 1980s forced him to retrain as a computer analyst for the Worker's Compensation Board of BC from 1988-2003. During his time at WCB, John also took on the responsibilities of shop steward for his union. He negotiated many successful agreements for injured workers. As an executive member, he was well-respected by workers and by management alike.
John strove to do his best at whatever he turned his hand to -- even at his golf game, where he got his handicap into the lower teens. This attribute was most obvious in his admirable attitude towards his battle with cancer. He also proved loyal in his relationships, even to his beloved Montreal Canadiens hockey team.
John is survived by: his wife, Carrol Lasko, of Fort Langley, BC; his mother, Henny Cherenko, of Nelson, BC; his brother, Reg Cherenko and wife, Dianne of Trail, BC; his brother, Dennis Cherenko and wife, Marilyn of Delta, BC; his niece, Tara [Cherenko] Meadows and husband, Jonathan and family of Vancouver, BC; his niece, Cindy [Cherenko] Shaw and husband, Len and family of Kelowna, BC.
Special thanks goes to John's brother-in-law, Ron Lasko, Ron's former wife, Cosette, and their daughter, Nadia, and the staff at the Langley Hospice Residence for supporting and comforting John during his last weeks.
John elected to have no memorial public or religious service.
To commemorate John Cherenko, please consider donating to BC Cancer or Langley Hospice Society.