In recent weeks our community has lost a pair of giants, two men who made their enormous contributions in different ways, both leaving a huge imprint on their families, friends and neighbours.
John Poznikoff and Ralph Moore are already greatly missed.
When we moved to Creston, John Poznikoff became a familiar face. From the raised platform at the rear of Tamblyn’s Drugs, John dispensed more than just prescriptions. He and the succession of pharmacists who would work with him over the years, were enormously respected for their compassion, for going the extra mile for people whom they saw as being more than just customers.
John was among the leaders of the vibrant Canyon Street business community back then. As advertising manager of the Advance I often co-ordinated promotions and special events to keep the downtown lively and busy. John was always one of the first I approached with an idea — if he didn’t like it I could be pretty sure it wouldn’t work, and I would go back to the drawing board to come up with a different promotion. He was, without fail, honest and thoughtful about everything he did as a businessman.
In later years, we would become fellow Rotarians, and very few members commanded the respect John did. His leadership did not appear in the typical ways. He wasn’t big on the often tedious executive meetings, so being a club director wasn’t his thing. Club presidency was something he had no interest in taking on. But when there was a project to be tackled, he was completely reliable, an enthusiastic leader who was never happier when he had a shovel or hammer in hand.
Mostly, when I think of John, the term role model comes to mind. John Poznikoff was a family man first, and the proof was evident in his long marriage with Elaine, and as a father and grandfather. Our conversations after he retired inevitably turned to activities involving grandchildren, and eventually to travel, which he and Elaine always enjoyed.
I also met Ralph Moore more than 35 years ago. I have only vague memories of sitting over coffee in the Creston Valley Bakery with him and another man I have long forgotten. There was much talk about world conspiracies and the need to protect the Creston Valley from invading hordes when invaders inevitably swarmed in search of a safe haven where clean water and good growing conditions could be found. I don’t remember how the subject came up, or why these fellows wanted to share their concerns, but I do remember walking away having come to like Ralph very much. He was very smart, had a great smile and a wicked sense of humour.
I soon learned of his reputation as something of a madman hiker and climber and I made an early determination never to go out hiking with him. It is a decision that probably extended my life — trying to keep up might have killed me!
Ralph was what I would describe as the ultimate environmentalist. He didn’t just talk the talk. He set an example in his stewardship of his family’s forested property, cutting trees and running a little sawmill in a sustainable way long before we even used the word sustainable in regular conversation.
In recent years, our conversations inevitably started with Ralph commenting about getting old. The complaints were made with that familiar gleam in his eyes, and with the springy steps that carried him wherever he wanted to go it was hard to imagine that age was doing much to slow him down. If there was anyone I have ever met who I might have thought about as indestructible, it would have been Ralph. So when we learned about his accident, horrific as the fall must have been, I continued to believe that his great physical fitness and indomitable spirit would help him to not only survive, but to bounce back. I still feel a sense of denial when I think about his passing.
John Poznikoff and Ralph Moore were men who made a difference in whatever they did. They led by setting examples for others to follow, not by preaching about what others should do. I am a better person for having known them, and a sadder one when I think about the loss our community has suffered.
Lorne Eckersley is the publisher of the Creston Valley Advance.
