Paul Scherba

Paul Scherbas family nickname for him was “Pappy.”

We are saddened by the passing of Paul Scherba, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather brother and friend. If you asked Paul where he was born, he would smile and say, “at home.”  And he truly was born in 1932 at the family farmhouse at Bordenave near Therien Alberta.

His parents had immigrated from the Ukraine in 1930, and obtained a quarter section (160 acres) of land for $10.00.  Because his father was a carpenter, he was glad to see this piece of land with ALL those trees; however, he quickly realized that you can’t grow grain on trees.  First, he built a beautiful log house, and then set to work removing the trees.  Hard work, as a young boy, Paul well remembered ‘grubbing stumps,’ picking roots and rocks.  After a few years, they had fine fertile land to grow grain – mostly wheat.

In 1958 shortly after the death of his mother, Paul and his father decided to eventually sell the farm, and buy a small acreage in Creston BC. He quickly made friends and met a young lady.  There in 1960 Paul married the love of his life Lillian. They began their married life together in Creston BC. 

For work Paul would do whatever jobs he could find - Logging, working in the sawmill & bush, working on Kootenay Pass, known as "the Salmo–Creston" Highway. 

In 1962 Paul, Lillian and their family moved to Strathroy Ontario and there they would spend the next 11+ years.   Paul found work as a carpenter on a high rise, when that building was completed, he drove a propane truck, later driving school bus – or whatever work he could find.  In 1966, Paul had a small cleaning business that quickly grew; however, BC was calling so they decided to move back this time to Salmon Arm.  They arrived at the end of 1973.  Paul enjoyed the cleaning work, so decided to try building another cleaning business – and he called it Clean Care Service.  Again, the business thrived, and within 3 months he required extra staff.  His regular routine up at 4am  in the morning to be in town cleaning offices, banks and stores – cleaning windows and sweeping sidewalks or shoveling snow.  At 7:30AM he would return home, have breakfast with his family, take the children to school, and go back to work. He added other features to his work -  Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Construction Cleaning as well as Fire, Flood and Disaster Restoration with a staff of 10 ‘on-call’ diligent workers.   In 1991, due to illness, he sold his cleaning business.  After surviving cancer, he worked until 2000, with his wife in their Bed & Breakfast. 

Paul is survived by his wife Lillian, and children Lenard (Elaine) Scherba, Peggy (Garf) Chursky, Kathy (Claude) Godbout, and Laurie-Jane Scherba.  Grandchildren Mandie (Ryan) Belle, Justin (Jennifer) Scherba, Rebekah (Michael) Hubbard, Matthew (Nikki) Chursky, Joel (Jocelyn) Godbout, Sheena (Reid) Davies.  And precious great grandchildren Luke & Owen Belle, Airlie & Felix Scherba, Sofia & Naomi Hubbard, Jura & Scout Chursky and Halle & Easton Godbout.

He is also survived by other close family members, his sister Helen Seminuk, and sister-in-law Evelyn Scherba, as well as many nieces and nephews and dear friends.  He is predeceased by his Mother Olga in March 1956, and his Father William on March 1960. And his six siblings Josef Scherba, Sophia Zubko, Steve Scherba, Leona Yarish, George Scherba, Anthony Scherba .   And his brothers in law Steve Zubko, Alex Seminuk, John Yarish, and sisters-in-law Jean Scherba and Jenny Scherba.

Even though Paul struggled to read, his favourite thing to do was learn more from the Holy Scriptures about the Creator of the Universe -  Almighty God Jehovah. (Psalms 83:18)  He was a spiritual man and dedicated his life to sharing his love of God with others.  Paul was very involved with the Christian congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and served as an elder approximately 50 years.  

Paul would visit the sick and grieving, staying with them to provide comfort. Paul was always ready to lend a helping hand and was generous with his time in assisting others.

In 1992, Paul and Lillian along with his brother Tony and wife Evelyn were invited to the first convention in St. Petersburg Russia where all religions had previously been banned.  And the next year, they were again invited to attend the landmark convention in Kiev, Ukraine where 7,420 were baptized.  Since Paul and his brother Tony spoke Ukrainian, they enjoyed visiting with the local brothers and sisters in attendance, and learned of their struggles while under ban.  It was an experience of a lifetime, and they were awed by their love and kindness.   Also, while there they were able to meet distant cousins Paul and Zoya Scherba. What a coincidence - another Paul Scherba!

After 2017 Paul’s health began to deteriorate.  Then he had his first heart attack.  However, he had such a strong will to live, he struggled through one episode after another.  His doctor and friend Dr. Weicker helped him through so many times for which Paul was very grateful.

Throughout his life Paul’s family delighted him, and he cherished every moment he could share with them.  His hope is to be resurrected to a beautiful life on a perfect paradise earth – free from sorrow, sickness and death.  He faithfully believed in this promise found in the Holy Scriptures at Revelation 21:3, 4 -  “With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them.   And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

In his older years Paul looked back on life, and he said the following:

How blessed I have been to have parents that loved me, and had spiritual values.

That I married a woman that helped me grow – emotionally, personally, & spiritually.

How grateful I am to have 4 beautiful children that I love and that care for me.

And most of all I am grateful that I came to know and love our grand creator and the giver of Life - Our Loving God Jehovah. And his beloved son Jesus Christ who provided the ransom -  the prospect of everlasting life for all mankind. (John 3:16)

All are welcome to attend Paul’s memorial service in-person at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 721 2nd Street SE, Salmon Arm, BC on September 20, 2025, at 1:30PM.  Following the service - refreshments will be served at Fifth Avenue Seniors Activity Centre.

To those who cannot attend in-person please feel free to join us on ZOOM (details below). 

Topic:  Paul Scherba Memorial

Time:  Sept-20-2025,   1:30 PM   Vancouver time zone

ZOOM Meeting ID:   891 5087 8455

Passcode:  Scherba

- OR  -  Join Zoom Meeting Link >>   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89150878455?pwd=Ssyz7wQYa4zT8CkLbU6qBPrKgqBm65.1