It is with the utmost sadness that ElliotLakeToday marks the loss of one of its foundational contributors, Kris Svela.
He passed while on vacation in Spain with his beloved wife, Cornelia, late last week and final arrangements are yet to be announced.
On April 6, at 4:30 p.m. she shared the following on social media,
"It is with great sadness and a broken heart that I have to share the news of the passing of my most dearest and best friend and husband, Kris. Life will not be the same without this beautiful man.
"It is comforting to know that he lived life fully and we enjoyed our life together right up to the end."
In the last story he wrote for us Kris talked about the reasons Elliot Lake deserved to win Kraft Hockeyville and his passion for both hockey and for the city he grew up in was clear.
He loved Elliot Lake and worked tirelessly to promote local creators, venues and activities. He also enjoyed covering the town council in Blind River as well as events and issues affecting the community.
Kris was a talented, respected writer and photographer whose work, experience and contributions to ElliotLakeToday cannot be overstated.
He brought more than 40 years of experience in community news to the site when he and Cornelia returned to Elliot Lake in 2017.
After graduating from the journalism program at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Kris worked full-time and freelance for weekly and daily newspapers, including the Wellington Advertiser, Mount Forest Confederate (Metroland Media) and the Guelph Mercury.
Behind the scenes, I frequently consulted him for context on current events and the history of Elliot Lake and the area. I valued his guidance and suggestions very much.
Most of all, I greatly enjoyed our regular phone conversations that frequently began with his emphatic 'WHAT?!?"
He will be missed.
Carol Martin,
Community Editor, ElliotLakeToday