Obituary of PETER PURA

PETER WILLIAM PURA July 10, 1932 - May 8, 2014 Peter Pura, 81, passed away on Thursday, May 8th at Victoria General Hospital after a 19-year struggle with prostate cancer. Peter is survived by his four children: Cathy (Randy) McElhoes, Mary-Ann (Tim) Fast , Mike Pura, and Peter (Lina) Pura. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren: Dr. Jason (Catherine) McElhoes, Ryan McElhoes ( Meagan), Corporal Brendan McElhoes, Heather Fast, Paula Fast, Nic Pura, Luke Pura, Bianca Pura and Luca Pura. He also leaves behind his faithful sister Sr. Gerarda Pura OSB, PhD, his brother Joe (Shirley) Pura, and his very special close friend Claudia Eisbrenner. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Nellie Pura; his son & daughter-in-law, Dr. Andrew Pura and Margaret Pura; and his sister, Marie Danyluk. Peter grew up in the North End of the city leaving high school to work with the Canadian Pacific Railway for 10 years and then moved on to work for Canada Post for the next 10 years. During this time, he completed grade 11 and 12 at night school and continued his education as a full time student at the University of Manitoba. After graduation, Peter worked as a Mathematics and Computer Science teacher at Gordon Bell High School until he retired in 1995. He loved the ethnic diversity of the students, over his 27 year career, and was proud to play a part in the success of many of his students. Peter was an avid bowler in the Winnipeg School Division #1 Bowling League for over 40 years and participated in a few other leagues as well. He was very proud in his ability to place in the top 10 of every season and in every league. He cherished the many fun times spent fishing, playing horseshoes, cruising the lake and watching his grandchildren grow at the family cottage at Pickerel Lake in Ontario. Family was everything to him. Peter and his family would like to thank the staff at HSC CancerCare, Victoria General Hospital, St. Boniface Hospital, WRHA Homecare, and Palliative Care. There are far too many oncologists, doctors, nurses, health care assistants, and lab technicians to name individually over the last 19 years. We appreciate their dedication, patience and encouragement to our dear dad. Eulogy will begin at 7:15 p.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15th, 2014 at Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave, Winnipeg MB. A private, family interment will be held at a later date. Due to construction, parking near the church will be limited. His treasured grandchildren are honoured to be their grandpa's pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter's memory may be made to St. Benedict's Foundation, 225 Masters Ave, Winnipeg MB, R4A 2A1; or CancerCare Manitoba at 675 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg MB, R3E 0V9. "Our family is a circle of love and strength. Every joy shared adds more love. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger." .... Until we meet again Dad.