Passed away on March 3, 2021 suddenly following a brief illness. He was accompanied in his final moments by his loving wife Laura and his children Luke and Carey.
Tim will be sorely missed by his surviving family, including his sisters Jane Britton and Kate Sookocheff, their husbands David and Mark, his grandchildren Malaïka, Harper, Edie and Léo, his son-in-law Albert, his daughter-in-law Anik, his nephews Zachary, Jeremy, Sam, and Corey, his nieces Holly and Melanie, his cousins Lynn and John as well as by the other members of the family and the many friends and colleagues whose lives were touched by his. He is predeceased by his father Sam Sookocheff, his mother Doreen Sookocheff (Mitchell) and his brother Tony Sookocheff.
Tim’s professional life was dedicated to conservation of the diverse natural beauty and heritage of Canada. During his career in Parks Canada, Tim contributed to the development of Kluane, Nahanni, Auyuittuq, and Prince Albert National Parks and to the preservation of the Exchange District in Winnipeg. He was instrumental in the preparation of legislation to transform Parks Canada into a separate agency and was involved in negotiations leading to the establishment of Wapusk and other northern parks. Tim contributed to the preservation of the Chilkoot Trail and Dawson City National Historic Site as well as to planning for the York Factory and Fort Battleford sites. Tim’s early career in Parks Canada included serving as Superintendent of Fort Walsh National Historic Site near Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.
Prior to joining Parks Canada, as an undergraduate field assistant Tim spent the summers of 1966 to 1969 on Baffin Island conducting research on glaciology, glacial geology and geomorphology, monitoring and measuring changes in glaciers and other ice formations.
In 1969, Tim’s curiosity and sense of adventure took him on a solo trip to Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Over the course of his life, Tim’s love of travel was shared by his wife Laura, their children and friends as they visited many places, including Kenya, New Zealand, and Peru, in addition to much of Canada and the United States.
Tim passed on to his children and grandchildren a love of reading, a passion for history and a wry sense of humour. He shared his love of the outdoors through canoe trips into parts of the Canadian wilderness that were rarely seen by others.
He was an avid curler and golfer who will be remembered fondly by friends and team mates.
Tim was a lifelong practical joker who saw each April 1st as a fresh challenge to outwit friends and family in spite of their foreknowledge he would attempt to do so. He usually succeeded, most recently when he tricked some of his family into believing he and Laura were moving to New Zealand.
Arrangements are being made for a celebration of Tim’s life at a later date. Details and an invitation will be sent to family and friends.
Those who wish may make donations in memory of Tim to the Nature Conservancy of Canada www.natureconservancy.ca or Health Partners www.healthpartners.ca.
Digital Guestbook
Kerrie Whitehurst
Chris white
I m very sorry for your lost this is a shock to the RA CURLING CLUB
John Ambridge
I learned to curl from Tim, and he was a good and very patient teacher. And an exceptionally nice guy. This was shocking news, since he was someone who should have been around for a long time so many more people could have the pleasure of meeting him.
David Leslie Day
Sue and I had the pleasure to get to know the Sookocheff family in the early 1970's when Tim worked in the Calgary Regional Office. We headed east to Ottawa that year, and although our career paths never met again, we were always in touch at Christmas or through shared friends. Tim and Laura bought our house when we left Calgary, and enjoyed a nice value bump as Calgary house prices rose quickly - just after we left! We always had a laugh about that. Tim had an exciting and really productive career with Parks Canada when we really were one big family, making it easy to stay in touch and share experiences vicariously. We extend our deepest sympathies to Laura, Luke and Carey and offer much love. Dave and Sue Day
Jim Johnston
Ellen and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Tim's passing. Our deepest condolences to Laura, Carey and Luke.
I first met Tim in the late 70's when he was the Superintendent of Fort Walsh National Site, and subsequently had the pleasure of working with him in the planning section in the regional office in Winnipeg and later in National Office.
Under Tim's quiet demeanor and professional attitude, there lurked a practical joker, a trait that others have commented on. I can still recall his elaborate and gleeful efforts to create his "out of Hungary scenario' to help celebrate Alex Zellermeyer's birthday, a good friend also sadly, gone too soon.
Tim was a great guy, a dedicated professional and a valued colleague.
Jim Johnston
Phil Ford
I was shocked and deeply saddened when I learned of Tim's passing. His quiet voice, endless patience and sense of humour will be missed by all of his friends at the RA curling club. Gone far too soon.
Stephen Tom
Over past 10 years I have had the opportunity to curl with Tim Sookocheff at the RACC. He is one of the greatest skips that I had the pleasure in playing with and against. Even when he didn't want to admit it he would say to me "we will keep you on my team consider yourself lucky" He had a different sense of humour. I shall miss him.... Rest In Peace Tim.... God Bless.
John DuVernet
I was one of the curlers at the RA who enjoyed a friendship on the ice with Tim. He contributed much to the curling experience of many RA members as a skip (always patient if the shot was not made), an instructor and executive member. It is only now that I learn of his contributions to the beauty and heritage of many important park projects over his lifetime. He will be missed.
jeff tan
tim was always very kind and humorous when i saw him, usually for holiday get togethers. when this pandemic is over and we are able to meet again, it will be odd and sad that tim will not be there to join us. my deepest condolences to his family.
Douglas V. Diak
That is such sad news. I had the pleasure of knowing and curling with Tim at the RA Curling Club. He was a good curler and a good golfer and a great person. My condolences to all.
Tim was always the first to sign up as a volunteer for our annual Cathy Kerr Wheelchair Curling bonspiel at the RA Curling Club. His patience, kindness, knowledge of the game, and unending good humour helped make those event successful and were deeply appreciated by all. A beautiful soul.