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In Memoriam: Larry John Shaishnikoff

Long time Alaska resident Larry John Shaishnikoff passed away on July 12, 2017, at the age of 86, in Anchorage, Alaska. "A man of many hats" is how he is remembered by many.

In Unalaska, Alaska, Larry was born to parents Sergei Shaishnikoff and Alexandria Stepetin. He spent his early childhood playing outside on this rural island of the Aleutian archipelago with his siblings and friends. At age 11, he survived the bombing and evacuation of Dutch Harbor and despite such hardships he persevered and achieved a life worth telling.

In the very first graduating class of Unalaska, he finished high school with five other students. He served in the Marines in his early 20s, married Anna Moller and together they had four children. Fishing is what he loved most, and he spent a great portion of his life doing it. From teaching his kids an enjoyable subsistence lifestyle, to owning multiple commercial fishing boats, Larry thrived in the seafood industry.
Throughout adulthood, Larry owned local Unalaska bar the Elbow Room, and F/V Peggy Rose, named after his second wife. He was a postmaster, and he worked at the local airport. He managed the Unalaska movie house and local jailhouse, and he even served as the village health aid. Larry loved his family and friends, and was always sure to charm them with his witty comebacks. His one-of-a-kind sense of humor was comprised of sarcasm, goofiness and laughs until your stomach hurt. He was extremely stubborn but exceedingly loving.

Survived by his children, Sheryl, Bill, Jim and Russ; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews, he will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Memory Eternal.