Community mourns local business man
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
The community is in mourning after a tragic accident near Lac La Biche took the life of one of its own. Trevor Soroka, a resident of Strathmore for the past 14 years, and co-owner Underground Performance was in the accident. Trevor had been working up north for the past few months, working two weeks on, two weeks off. On Jan. 6 he was on his way to Edmonton to spend the day with his mom and sister who were flying back from Arizona and had planned to have a Ukrainian Christmas at his aunt’s house in Edmonton.
He hit a patch of black ice just as a semi was coming around a curve on Hwy 881 near the 159 marker. Police figure he slid over the line a bit, colliding with the semi. Soroka leaves behind his wife Audrey and their children Brandon, 14, and Megan, 9.
“I have my good days and my bad days, it doesn’t feel real,” said Audrey.
“I met him when I was 22 and he was 21 and we got married July 10 of 1993, the day before his birthday. He had a very big heart, loved talking to people and hanging out with his friends.
“He always stood by me and vice versa. His children were his everything and he loved all his family, and extended family very much. He loved vehicles, and he loved motorbikes. His dream was to own a fabrication shop. Underground was just the beginning, he had so many ideas and he was just that determined type of person that any time he would say to me ‘I’m going to do this’ and I always knew he would because everything he said he would do, he would do it.”
Trevor and Audrey have been involved in many events around town, most notably the annual Harleys and Hot Rods that raises money for the Children’s Wish Foundation. Trevor was also at one point involved with the Strathmore Fun Runners, and being a motorbike enthusiast, could be seen at many different motorcycle events.
When friends of the family first heard about the accident they immediately began planning a fundraiser to help out Audrey and her two children. The community has been collecting and donating items, including nine downtown businesses that created two baskets filled with different items to be auctioned off.
On Jan. 20 at The Strathmore Hotel from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. there will be a silent auction to raise funds. The Hotel will be donating proceeds from any sales to the family. Staff members will also be working for free and donating their tips.
On Jan. 19 Marty from Strathmore Taxi will be donating a full 24 hours worth of fares to the Soroka family.
“I feel very humbled, I don’t know if I am worthy of this but at the same time I know they want to do it and I appreciate it. Everything is very overwhelming and I do appreciate everything everybody has been doing,” said Audrey.
“I know Trevor will too because I know his worry is that me and the kids are taken care of and we will be. It’s the not having him here any more my big, tall, strong man and that’s going to be the hardest part.”
Anyone wishing to help out in any way can contact Brenda at 403-934-6388, brendadecker1970@hotmail.com or Tanya at 403-512-6974 or 403-901-1100 or by e-mail at spawnshp@telus.net. If any one would like to view his obituary it is posted at www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca