Obituary of Randall Lee Pocha

Randall Lee Pocha

(Randy)

April 21, 1961 – October 28, 2022

Randy died peacefully on October 28, 2022 with his sister at his side. He struggled with cirrhosis of the liver for several years and spent the last 3 months of his life in hospital. He succumbed to the disease after suffering a massive stroke 5 days before dying.

Randy was the youngest child of Elva and Allan Pocha. He had 14 older siblings so he learned in life to be a survivor. At age 19 he was in a head on collision with a car that crossed into his lane while he was riding his motorcycle. Out of determination and perseverance he survived but his injuries plagued him for the rest of his life.

Randy loved the outdoors he was the happiest when he was out in nature. Many times in his life he would venture out in the bush with very little and live off the land for weeks on end. He was an expert of wild plants and knew their names, and which ones were edible. If he had competed on “Survivor” the reality show, we’re quite sure he would have won.

Randy worked at several careers including CP Rail, truck driving, heavy-duty machinery operator and logging.

Randy was a very good skier and motorbike rider, he never gave up until he had perfected the skill. This was also true when it came to his artistic ability of whittling and carving.

Randy was a true friend to many, he was never judgmental, always forgiving, had a great sense of humour and he would always have your back. Some of his truest friends were his furry friends. When he moved away to Kamloops he was unable to take his dog, every day the dog would walk two kilometers to Randy’s old home only to have to go back to his foster home.

Randy is survived by his son Brodey (Pocha) Downing and will be greatly missed by those who truly knew him and loved him including his siblings: Lornel (Florie) Pocha, Sylvia Pocha, Clarence (Elena) Pocha, Floyd (Cheryle) Pocha, Trudy (Brian) Clifford, Alden (Christine) Pocha, Audrene (Det) Harasiuk, two sister-in-laws Carol Pocha and Debbie Pocha as well as 32 nieces and nephews, several great, and great, great nieces and nephews.

Randy was predeceased by his mother Elva, father Allan, 4 brothers Carl, Gerald, Lawrence and Lloyd, 3 sisters Marlene Petersen, Diane Bailey and Audrey Pocha, 2 brother-in-laws Gordon Pocha and Roy Bailey, 2 nephews Kerry Pocha and Shawn Harasiuk, 1 niece Ione Clarke, as well as grandparents, many aunts and uncles and cousins.

Funeral service for Randy will be on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 3:00pm at the McPhersons Funeral Home,2200 2^nd Street South, Cranbrook, BC. Viewing will precede the service from 2 to 3.