Allen Konkin passed away on December 5, 2011 at the age of 71 years in Yorkton, SK. Allen was born on March 5, 1940 at the Kamsack Union Hospital. He spent the first 4 years of his life with his parents, mother Maria and father WWF Konkin, and older sister Violet growing up on his Grandfather and Grandmother's farm north of Verigin, SK. His father, Bill and mother Mary, moved east from the Pretty View School District to the Lilyvale School district in 1944. Allen took his elementary schooling in a one room school in Lilyvale and his high school education in the Kamsack Collegiate Institute. He got his teaching certificate in Moose Jaw and taught elementary at the Prettyview school which was a one room school. He started hearing voices when he was 8 years old and after a short stint in teaching (1 1/2 years) he was unable to work any more. He held various temporary jobs over his lifetime, eg. janitor in a Saskatoon Hospital, working at the Banff Hotel, delivering newspapers but was unable to hold on to them due to his schizophrenic condition. He became a Catholic and lived his life in strict adherence (the best he could) to the Catholic faith. Most of his days were spent in contemplation and being a good Christian as Jesus would have wanted him to live. In spite of his condition, he spent most of his years, independent, living on his own only going to a group home for a short period for about 5 years. When he turned 65, he went to live on his own and was able to do that till his death on December. 5, 2011. Allen's interests and hobbies included singing (in his 20's) with his Grandfather Konkin, various Doukhobor choirs and his parents, archaeology (he took a University Course in Saskatoon in this field), politics, reading, pottery and most recently ardently studying Christianity and the Catholic Church. Allen always loved his fellow man and was never a material person but was always generous and shared what little he had. He is survived by his brother, Louis (Marion) of Sechelt, BC, niece Tamira Konkin-Garcia (Roberto) and their children Joaquin and Tatyana of Austin, Texas, nephews Gordon Konkin of Squamish, BC, Dan Kalmakoff of Regina, SK, Ken Kalmakoff of Canora, SK, Ron Kalmakoff of Sechelt, BC, and various uncles, aunts and cousins from the Konkin and Morozoff sides of the family. He is predeceased by his mother Maria and father WWF Konkin, sister Violet (Alec) Kalmakoff, Grandparents Martha and WF Konkin and Pete and Mary Morozoff and various uncles, aunts and cousins from the Konkin and Morozoff families. If friends so desire, donations in Allen's memory may be made to St. Gerards Roman Catholic Church in Yorkton and the Mental Health drop-in centre in Yorkton. Arrangements are entrusted to Andrychuk Funeral Home of Kamsack. To send condolences to the family or for more information, please visit our website at www.andrychukfuneralhome.com
