Victor Goncharoff, 68, a 16-year resident of Coupeville and longtime former Seattle resident, died Dec. 2, 2004 at Whidbey General Hospital following a lengthy illness. Mr. Goncharoff was born March 2, 1936, in Tientsin, China, to Russian parents Serge Sergeev and Maria Goncharoff of native Vladivostok. His family immigrated to the United States in 1951 and made Seattle their home.

Victor served as an airman in the U.S. Air Force as a language specialist and was a veteran of the Korean War. He later attended the University of Washington and with his wife Janet, founded Graphic Screen and Printing in Woodinville where he raised his two children. He was preceded in death by his wife Janet of 29 years.

While he spent many summers on Whidbey Island he moved here permanently more than 10 years ago. Victor pursued his love of language and proud heritage by volunteering as a Russian translator to the Northshore School District and the 1990 Goodwill Games. Victor was a member of the Whidbey Island Eagles and the VFW.

He is survived by his wife Geri Williams of Coupeville, son Victor “Butch” Goncharoff and wife Jill Goncharoff of Bellevue, daughter Elizabeth Victoria Appel of Woodinville and an extended family of 5 stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.

Services will take place 11 am, Thursday, Dec. 9, at St. Spiridon Cathedral 1310 Harrison, Seattle, and immediately following at Washelli Cemetery, 1111 Aurora N., Seattle. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 12, at Whidbey Island Eagles on Highway 525.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the South Whidbey Senior Center or the Cancer Care Alliance. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.