SOAP LAKE — Former Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce President Nick Sebok, 79, died at Spokane’s Holy Family Hospital of a massive stroke, Aug. 14.

Fredrick Slough said Friday he worked with Nick on committees, mostly with the chamber.

Sebok served as chamber president after Slough’s presidential term.

Slough called their work “a matter of keeping parades and festivals alive and different things that go along with the community.”

“He was just a person that was always there,” Slough commented. “He did a lot of nice things for Soap Lake. He was always willing to help.”

Sebok’s widow, Freida Sebok, remembers the first time she met Nick.

Freida was working as a hostess at the Soap Lake Businessman’s Club. They were introduced through mutual friends.

“I was working, he was playing,” she recalled.

The couple was friends for nine years before their marriage in 1997.

Freida lived in Soap Lake her entire life. Nick vacationed in Soap Lake for many years.

“He lived in Seattle and hated the rain,” she says. “He liked Soap Lake because he liked the water for what it did for him.”

They went on to own the Soap Lake Laundromat and Silverdale Apartments together and he also owned Soap Lake Appliance, she said.

His activities also included involvement with the Elks Club in Lake City and Soap Lake.

“He was a very good person,” Freida commented. “He’s going to be missed.”

His survivors also include three sons, daughter, granddaughter, sister and brother.

A celebration of his life is set for 2 p.m., Sept. 20, at Don’s Restaurant in Soap Lake.