27.04.1941-31.08.2024
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Tamerlan, known to many as Timor or simply Tim, on the night of August 31st. He has gone to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ. Dad was born just before World War II on a Soviet military base in the city of Kushka, Turkmenistan, in what was then the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR. Only a few months after he was born, his father was tragically killed in the war while fighting, leaving Dad to grow up without him. From the very beginning, his life was marked by hardship. As a war baby, he grew up in a family where two of his siblings died during the war, leaving him with his mother and two surviving siblings. Despite being gravely ill with pneumonia, Dad was spared.
After the war, Dad and his family moved to Georgia, USSR, where he spent his early childhood. In Georgia, he learned the language and developed a lifelong love for Georgian cuisine and cooking. While he was still young, Dad and his mother, along with his siblings, relocated to Latvia, where he would spend most of his life. Before settling down, Dad completed his mandatory military service with the railway forces in Siberia, an experience that shaped his resilience and discipline. Following his military service, Dad embarked on a career as a sailor engineer, working on several large ships, including the Kruzenshtern, one of the largest sailing ships in the world. During his sailing career, Dad had the unique opportunity to see the world-a rare privilege at the time, as the Soviet Union had closed borders, making it extremely difficult for citizens to travel abroad.
This experience broadened his horizons and left him with stories and memories that he cherished throughout his life. After several years at sea, Dad transitioned into various entrepreneurial ventures. He was one of the pioneers in creating coloured photographs and portraits at a time when this was still a novel process. Using hand-coloring techniques, Dad transformed black-and-white images into vibrant, lifelike pictures, bringing joy and colour into the lives of many. His work in photography became one of his passions and was a testament to his creativity and technical skill. For much of his early life, Dad was not religious, but this changed after the births of his daughter Elena and son Vitaly.
When Elena and Vitaly were invited to Sunday school by a neighbour, it sparked Dad’s curiosity about faith. What began as a curiosity turned into a lifelong commitment when he chose to believe, confess, repent, and be baptized. From then on, Dad’s life was a testament to his faith. He became an active member of the Salvation Temple church in Latvia, where he served diligently in various ministries. Among his contributions, he led the video recording of sermons with his big VHS camera, capturing wonderful memories for the congregation. He was known not only for his generosity but also for his deep devotion and love for his children, always encouraging them to seek God and love one another as Christ loved us. Life in Latvia after the fall of the Soviet Union was challenging, especially as poverty became a constant struggle.
This was largely due to the fact that Dad lost his status as a citizen, which severely limited his rights. New rules and language requirements made it difficult for him to secure and maintain stable employment. Despite these hardships, Dad never let us go hungry and always ensured that we felt his love. His determination and resilience were hallmarks of his character. In 2001, Canadian missionaries from First Baptist Church Orillia came to reconstruct the church in Latvia. During this time, Dad developed a deep admiration for Canadians and their way of life. When asked by one of the missionaries about his greatest wish, he expressed a desire to bring his children to Canada so they could have a better life and learn to speak English. By God’s grace, both Elena and Vitaly eventually made that journey. After praying for seven long years, Dad’s dream came true on December 21st, 2007, when he and his youngest son, Vlad, arrived in Canada.
Although the immigration process was long and arduous, Dad’s faith never wavered. He prayed and fasted for years, asking God to allow them to stay in Canada. In December 2011, Dad suffered a traumatic brain injury from a bicycle accident. Though his life was spared, the injury caused short-term memory loss and confusion. Despite these challenges, Dad’s spirit remained unbroken. His smile and joy continued to shine through, and just three weeks ago, he realized his lifelong dream of becoming a Canadian citizen. It was a miracle and a testament to his perseverance and faith. Now, Dad is not only a Canadian citizen but also a citizen of his heavenly home. His ultimate wish was for his children to know Christ and the truth of the Gospel.
Though he was not a perfect man, he clung to a perfect Creator. In times of trouble and need, he turned to Jesus, praying and fasting often. His faith in Jesus Christ transformed him, and he reminded us all to strive to be like Jesus, growing in grace and glory with each passing day. We are grieving the sting of his passing, but we also rejoice in the knowledge that Dad is in a better place, his eternal home. Praise be to God for his ultimate victory. Tamerlan "Timor" (Tim) is survived by his loving children: Elena (and her husband Gal), Vitaly (and his fiancée Allison), and Vlad (and his wife Erin). He is also survived by his daughter Svetlana, who resides in Russia, and his son Evgeni, who resides in Latvia. Additionally, he leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Matti, Eliya, Sviatoslav, Diana and Arthur. He is also survived by his sister, Zainet, and his nephews, who, like many others, will deeply miss him.
A Graveside Service will be held at St. Andrew’s – St. James’ Cemetery, Orillia on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 1:30PM. Arrangements entrusted to the Mundell Funeral Home.