Paul (Alagui) Tcheripanoff

July 4, 1936 -

May 12, 2020

A loving man who came from little, with the help of loving and caring people in his life – Paul was a lifelong commercial fisherman. It is with a heavy heart to share the loss of our Dad. Our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, Paul Tcheripanoff, left us to be with the Lord on May 12, 2020, at 8:08 p.m., surrounded by loved ones after losing his battle with cancer.

Paul set goals and dreams, and he achieved all he set out to do, with determination and hard work. He began his life's journey in 1936; World War II sees the Tcheripanoff family along with the community of Akutan interned at Wards Cove, in Southeast Alaska. Paul was taken from his family at a young age for about 3 to 4 years recovering from tuberculosis. Since the age of 11, Paul learned he had only one lung as a result of having TB; by the age of 83, during a clinic visit, he learns that he now has two lungs. Surprised and bewilder; dad-being-dad and happier than a clam during high tide, states, by god I grew a lung back, I figure, with a great ol-healthy laugh. While at the TB ward, he learned to play the accordion, taught by a nun and had been playing ever since. He loved and valued his family and God, above all.

He was known as Pops, Grandpa Paul, Alagui to his friends and family, whom he enjoyed spending time with, sharing many stories and making memories. Despite challenging medical diagnoses, he remained positive and encouraging to others to the end. His spirit lives on in the hearts of those who love him and will miss him forever — gone from our arms but forever in our hearts. Services to be held at St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral.