Victor A Castaneda

He was born August 28, 1924 the 4th child of 6 to Jorge Castaneda and Rosa Amelia Carbajal. He spent his early years in Colombia, S.A., where he married his sweetheart Ofelia Jaramillo on August 5, 1955 in Cali, Colombia. Victor moved to Hartford, CT in October 1968 where he was employed as a mechanic. He worked 3 years until his wife and 4 children at the time were able to immigrate in 1971 to the United States. While in Hartford he was blessed with his 5th child. Victor was always seeking a better life for his family and in 1975 he moved his family to Lethbridge, Alberta. While in Lethbridge he worked as a heavy duty mechanic until his retirement in 1988. He then moved to Osoyoos in 1992 where he enjoyed his retirement to the fullest until his stroke in 2013.

Victor loved his family and spent every free moment he had with them. He enjoyed many vacations with his family and especially loved visiting the beach while he lived in Hartford. When he moved to Lethbridge he had to settle for the surrounding lakes where his children have fond memories of the weekend barbeques. He was an avid soccer fan and coached his youngest son through many games. He loved life and enjoyed music, especially music with the Latin flare. He loved to dance and would often take his children to the German Canadian Club to enjoy the music and hit the dance floor. Following his stroke, he was most sad about his inability to be with his family on a continuous basis and he will be forever grateful to his daughters who pampered him on weekend trips away from the care center. Victor will be most remembered by his family for his loving support of their lives, his teachings of the value of hard work, and his never ending desire to learn something new each day.

Victor is preceded in death by his parents and 4 siblings. He is survived by his wife, Ofelia; daughter, Rosa of Abbotsford; daughter, Hilda (Bernie) of Burley, Idaho; son, Victor of Calgary; daughter, Juliana (George/deceased) of Peachland; son, William of Peachland; grandsons, Steven (Chelsea); Joshua, Andres, Michael and Jason; granddaughters, Amy (Matthew); Chelsea (Jared) and Beigha. Survived by his 5 great-grandchildren; 4 brothers-in-law and 3 sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

A Service of Remembrance in his honour will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, 11 o’clock at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 10109 62nd Avenue, Osoyoos. Cremation to follow.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mariposa Gardens during his last few days of his life for their compassionate service, especially Rhonda.

Arrangements entrusted to Blaine Krist at Graham Funeral Home, 5920 Kootenay Street, Oliver B.C. (250) 498-3833. Your message of condolence, sharing your fond memories of Victor may be sent to: www.grahamfh.com