Dad began life in 1922, in a small town in Russia, called Shebekino, close to the border of the Ukraine. His family was very poor and life was not at all easy as they struggled to survive the ravages of the Depression and near starvation.

When he was a young man, he fought in WWII, and was taken prisoner by the Germans. He was forced to work in a Labour Camp and when the war ended, he decided to stay in Fulda, West Germany.  Many of the Russian prisoners returning to Russia were sent to prison camps in Siberia. This was a fate he managed to avoid by staying in Germany.  Dad changed his Russian name from "Lazarov" to "Lazarhoff" to blend in better with German Society.

It was in Fulda, Germany where he met our Mother, at a dance hall. They both recognized that they shared a love for music and dance and continued to share that love together for many years.  Enjoying the many New Year's dances at the Polish Hall with good friends, they would spend most of their time on the dance floor, dancing the night away.

They were married not long after they met and their first child, George, was born in 1953. They moved to Friedrichshaven, Germany and lived there for a short time where Sylvia was born in 1956. 

In search of work to provide for his family, Dad went ahead to Wawa, Ontario six months before sending for his young wife and two small children, George and Sylvia.  Neither Mom nor Dad knew very much English, however, they often went to movies together at the Roxy Theatre.  This was the way in which they learned English in the early days.

Dad built a house on George Street where our family lived for many years.  Two more children arrived, Nadya in 1962 and John Jr. in 1969.

Dad loved Wawa!  He was a true outdoorsman, enjoying the hunting, fishing and blueberry picking that living in Wawa was all about.  He was always happy in nature and marvelled at the beauty and bounty which it provided.