Elmer John Racho
July 29, 1929 ~ January 2, 2014
With deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Elmer John Racho on January 2, 2014 in Creston, BC.
Elmer was born in Edam, SK on July 29, 1929. At age 11, he moved with his mother and siblings to Richmond, BC. He started working at an early age to help support the family, starting with a chicken and egg farm. When he was 15 he started working for Ridley Ice and Cold Storage in the Marpole area of Vancouver, BC. He delivered ice to businesses and stores, later doing mechanical work on refrigeration equipment and vehicles. July 16, 1954 he married Beverly Louise Racho in Richmond, BC, where they had 4 daughters from 1955 to 1961. He worked at Ridley Ice until 1970 where he did a brief stint of highway hauling to and from the US just before purchasing Riverland Farms and moving his family to Lillooet, BC. There he worked long and hard producing quality hay until 1994. While still operating the farm he operated B & E Trucking with his young family friend Brian Grossler for many years. He also drove fuel truck during some winters for Imperial Oil in Lillooet. In the summer of 1994 Elmer and Beverly sold Riverland Farms and retired to the Creston area.
Elmer was predeceased by his parents, Olga Racho and Gustav Racho; daughter Linda; brother Clifford; brother-in-law Allan Forsyth and nephew David Forsyth.
He will be lovingly and forever missed by his wife of 60 years, Beverly Racho; daughters Pat (Don) Fritz, Creston, BC, June (Dwayne) Miller, Lillooet, BC, Kris (Glad) Kane, Grande Prairie, AB; grandsons Josh Bissat, Max Bissat and Garrett Miller; sister Polly Forsyth, Sechelt, BC; brothers Bill Goll, North Battleford, SK and Bob Racho, Hedley, BC; nieces Carol Forsyth, Barb Morecroft, April Menzies, Debbie Gunderson and nephews Wilf, Victor and Ed Goll.
Although Elmer left school at an early age, he was self taught in many things and he completed courses to improve his knowledge. He read books and took courses in TV and radio repair, computer repair, gunsmithing, mechanical repair and horsemanship. He learned to play the harmonica and guitar and his favorite song to play was Beautiful Dreamer - all done without formal training. He was able to fix anything that moved on 4 wheels, mechanical or anything electronic. He loved being busy even when he retired. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and riding around the farm on his horse. When he was in Creston he started doing a lot of target practice. He belonged to the Lillooet Rod and Gun Club, Canadian Shooting Sports Association and later the Creston Valley Rod and Gun Club.
Elmer was a kind and caring man who loved his family most of all. He was a fantastic father and husband and will always be greatly missed.
No Service by request.
G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to make a memorial contribution may do so to Creston Valley Hospital, Equipment Fund, Bag 3000, Creston, BC V0B 1G0.