Peter Gorkoff

Peter is survived by his beloved spouse, Marne Hughes; step-sons, Lane and Liam (Sandi) Hughes; and grandchildren, Dominic Gorkoff, Olive Jean and Benjamin Hughes. He also leaves behind his sister, Kathy; brother, Koozma (Minnie); nieces, Tamara (Karl Dohan) and Chantal (Sonny Hatton); nephew, William (Angie); and grandnieces and grandnephews, Shayla and Pierra Gorkoff, Grayson Hatton, and Carmine Gorkoff. Peter was predeceased by his son, Anthony; daughter, Vanessa; mother, Mary; and father, Koozma.

Born and raised in Nelson, BC, Peter bought Markin Equipment in 1977 at the age of 21. Renamed Lakeside Equipment Sales and Service, the business relocated to McDonald Drive in 1986 and was then sold to “the boys” at Main Jet Motorsports in 2006, where he continued to work in various jobs. Peter travelled the world and always enjoyed meeting new people.

Peter was always involved in the community, whether helping to build and roof the Whitewater ski lodge during his teenage years or volunteering with the Nelson Sno-Goers and Morning Mountain ski hill. Peter cared for both his aging parents and his Aunt Mabel and was always available to help any relative or friend. His greatest joy was to repair things, even if it was with a bit of red “Tuck Tape” or a drop of Gorilla Glue.

Marne and Peter met at the Bogustown Pub in 2009 and spent their vacation time travelling from Nelson throughout the southwestern USA, finding casinos and seedy motels along the way. They bought their first home together in 2017, and after retirement, they relocated to Lethbridge in 2022. Peter loved his Honda Goldwing and finally sold it in 2018. He is remembered for riding in his Birkenstocks while smoking a cigarette (and maybe a “road coke”), with the radio blasting and the sun shining in the Kootenay sky.

Family meant everything to Peter; there wasn’t a day that went by when his children, Tony and Vanessa, weren’t in his thoughts. His time spent with all three grandchildren was very precious to him. He was a wonderful stepfather, a loving brother, and the “fun” Uncle Peter, with a wicked sense of humour but always his father’s smile and twinkle in his eye.

Peter was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him; he truly was a legend. Heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at both St. Michael’s Health Centre and the Jack Ady Cancer Centre.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring, on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Prestige Lakeside Resort in Nelson, BC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Health Centre (covenantfoundation.ca) or the Jack Ady Cancer Centre (crhfoundation.ca), both in Lethbridge, AB.