Obituary of PETER DRABCHUK

PETER DRABCHUK It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father and Gido, Peter on Friday October 14, 2016 at Victoria Hospital at the age of 89. Peter leaves to cherish his memory his son, Ron (Johnanne), his daughter Elaine (Dan) Perron and his grandchildren Nicholas, Deanna, Christopher and Michelle. He also leaves to mourn 5 sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, 12 nieces and 9 nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Minnie, parents John and Anastazjia, brothers, Anton, Joseph, Matt and sister, Anne. Peter was born in Silverton, MB on the south side of Riding Mountain National Park in 1927. Two years later the family took a homestead on the north side of park in the Grandview district. Life on the farm was hard work and the requirement to break new land for homesteaders was always a burden. Peter endured the loss of his eldest brother, Anton (17) at 8 years old and then his Mother (49) at the age of 19. Peter attended Hollybourne School but later had to quit school to work on the family farm. In his twenties, Peter went out east to Toronto for one year to find work. He worked in various jobs in construction and the railways. Peter then returned to Manitoba to work at Swifts in Winnipeg. When his father needed help on the farm, after his brothers had moved to the city, Peter returned on weekends to work on the family farm. During this time Peter met the love of his life, Minnie at the Rainbow Dance Gardens. They married in 1958 and bought a house at 654 Wellington Ave. There, they started their family; a son, Ron in 1959 and a daughter, Elaine in 1960. As his father’s health was failing him and his ultimate passing in 1964, the family farm was sold. Peter and family moved to Windsor Park in 1968 and started to enjoy the suburban life. Summer weekends were spent camping and fishing and on many Saturday nights they were seen dancing up a storm at the UNF Club at the 141 Legion with friends and family. Peter also loved spending time in his woodworking shop and always had to have the right tools for the job. Sundays were always reserved for church and visiting family and friends. Every summer they attended the large family gatherings in Dauphin, MB during the National Ukrainian festival. After Swifts closed the Winnipeg plant, Peter worked for the Winnipeg School Board and went back to school and earned his 5th class Power Engineer certificate that he was very proud of. Peter retired in the spring of 1989 and was looking forward to the golden years, when unfortunately, life dealt him another blow when Minnie was hospitalized in a car/pedestrian accident. Now, he was forced into a role of care provider and lovingly looked after his wife for 17 more years. During this time they did some traveling, visiting Hawaii numerous times, Palm Springs, the Maritimes and California. They moved into a new house in Southland Park in 1991 and Dad enjoyed going for walks around the neighbourhood and having coffee with the old timers at McDonald’s. Peter was a proud Ukrainian Canadian and read everything he could on Ukraine’s history and his heritage. He then decided to retrace the steps of his father’s immigration to Canada in 1926. After numerous letters he was re-united with his many lost relatives when he visited his Dad’s village of Silets, Ivano-Frankivs’k in Western Ukraine in 1995. After Minnie’s passing, Peter stayed on at the house for another 5 years but was getting tired of the cooking and cleaning. Peter then decided to move into Dakota House, an assisted living residence. He also continued his walkabouts there even if sometimes they were indoors. Peter had a fall at Dakota House in June, 2016 and started on a downward slide due to complications at the hospital. Daily visits from family and friends were not enough to keep Peter from slipping away. Good bye dear Dad and Gido. We will always remember the good times and cherish the moments we shared together. Minnie will be so pleased that she will be re-united with her dear husband, Peter. Together they can once again visit all their relatives that have passed and have more of those large family gatherings in Heaven. Till we meet again… Prayers will be held on Sunday, October 23 at 7:00 pm at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at his church, Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 390 Marion St on Monday, October 24 at 11:00 am with Father Darren Kawiuk officiating. A reception will follow downstairs with interment afterwards at Holy Family Cemetery. VICHNAYA PAM’YAT