ALVIN H. AGOFF

Lifelong resident Alvin Harriton Agoff, 73, died of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease at his home in Palmer on March 26, 2005, surrounded by his family.

A closed-casket visitation is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, , at Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla. A celebration of life and potluck will be from 3-8 p.m. at the Palmer Moose Lodge.

He will be buried in the spring at Cottonwood Cemetery in Flat. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 2791, Palmer, AK 99645.

Mr. Agoff was born in Akiak on Dec. 3, 1931. He was educated by his mother at Otter Territorial School in Flat. During his life, he worked as a trapper, woodcutter, local guide and gold miner. He owned and operated the Prince Creek Mining Co., from which he retired. He held memberships with the Alaska Miners Association, NRA, Iditarod Mining District and KSKO radio. His hobbies were reloading ammunition and casting bullets.

He enjoyed poetry, dancing, history and caricature drawing.

His family wrote, "Alvin was a lifelong Alaskan. His father, Amarahan Agozorov, an immigrant from Imperial Russia, joined the hordes of gold seekers in Alaska and walked the Iditarod Trail to Flat in 1912 at the age of 17. His mother, Evelyn Hoverson, a second-generation Norwegian from North Dakota, rode a paddle-wheeler up the Iditarod River to become schoolmistress at Otter Territorial School in Flat and in Crooked Creek.

"Alvin was raised with his brother, Sergay, and sister, Ruth, to work hard. His family lived a pioneer lifestyle: hunting, dog mushing, gardening, trapping and mining for gold at Prince Creek. Alvin had a great love for nature and all its creatures.

"Alvin was known for his prodigious physical strength and great kindness to all. Alvin loved children and was a profound influence in the lives of many young people. He married his true love, Kathleen, in 1968 and gave his daughters, Cady and Christy, the best childhood imaginable.

"He was a vivid storyteller with a photographic memory and a gift for mimicry.

Alvin spent some winters in the communities of Palmer and Tanana and was fortunate to spend every mining season but one at his beloved creek in Flat. He was a man of great integrity who touched many lives and will be fondly remembered by all who were lucky enough to know him."

His wife, Kathleen Agoff, and brother, Sergay Agoff, preceded him in death.

He is survived by his daughters, Cadi and Christy Agoff of Palmer; a sister, Ruth Green of California; two nephews, Max and Nick Agoff of Washington; niece and nephew, Edith and Edward Agoff of Oregon; niece, Lena Agoff of Idaho; niece and nephew, Lynn and Jesse Green of California and two grandchildren who were the apples of his eye - Alyssa Evelyn Marie and Misty Mae of Palmer.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Agency of Alaska, P.O. Box 410, Palmer, AK 99645. Arrangements were with Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.