ROBERT (BOB) GORDON
PETERSON
December 30, 1935 – November
27, 2013
Like the truly gentle person that he was, Bob
peacefully slipped into the arms of Jesus to be taken to a new home, a better
place with no cares or concerns, free of pain and the illness that consumed
him. He left behind all that he loved
and all that loved him.
Surviving and left to mourn and miss Bob and
to always and forever love him is his wife Adelaide (Adele); three sons Gerald
(Gerry) (Michelle), Jason (Donna), and John (Angie). The rays of sunshine in his life, his nine
grandchildren Tanya (Josh), Tommy (Meagan), Anthony, Bailey, Holly (Victor),
Matthew, Taylor, Sophie, and Alexander; six great-grandchildren Cameron, Dylan,
Marie J, Kinsey, Brooklynn, and Kodee;
sister Linda of Winnipeg; three brothers Don (Joan) of Glouchester,
Ontario, Ray in BC; and Ross (Lenza) in La Canada California. Also surviving
are sister-in-law Joanie Mignacca; brother-in-law Jimmy Paulenko (Gabi);
brother-in-law Jim Stephens (Louella); sixteen nephews; fifteen nieces; two
god-daughters Carla and Heather; two god-sons Matthew and Santino; and cousins
by the dozens, especially Merv who grew up with Bob and remains a visitor that
dropped in for coffee and chit – chat on a regular basis. He was predeceased by
his beloved parents Mom (Inga) 1969; Dad (Pete) 1980; sister Verna 1983; sister
Nancy 1985; brother-in-law Bruce Komus 2005; brother-in-law Mickey Mignacca
1983; and his in-laws Peter and Lena Paulenko 1998 and 2012 respectively.
On December 30, 1935, Bob was born to
Ingiborg Dominia and Gudmunder August (Pete) Peterson at Health Sciences Centre
Women’s Pavilion and joined his older sister Verna in what was to become a
large and happy family. He loved his
first two homes – Young Street and Banning Street and had many wonderful
memories of growing up there and of going to Eaglesham in Gimli part of a group
of four brothers, three sisters, and Mom and Dad. Bob attended several schools: Isbister,
Greenway, General Wolfe, and Daniel MacIntyre, and the University of Manitoba
where he became a member (1956) of PHI KAPPA PI – TAU SIGMA RHO chapter… but
science soon took off when earning money took over. He graduated from the
Certified General Accountants and added a Municipal Administrator Designation
from the University of Manitoba. Bob worked at many jobs to search for his
calling: a merry-go-round operator, a surveyor in Churchill in 1954 and 1955, a
packer at McMahon Upholstery, a boat windshield maker at Prevue Plastic, a
bookkeeper/dispatcher at Crane – All, Purchaser/Bookkeeper at Subterranean
Canada, and various construction companies as an accountant, a teacher, tax
preparer, and then found his niche in Churchill, Manitoba as Accountant for the
Town of Churchill and a part – time Administrator. He resided in Churchill from
October 1992 to May 1998 coming home twice a year, an experience he truly
enjoyed. He made many friends there that still exist. But he missed the joys
and happiness at home in the Peg, and so he retired.
Bob loved people and could carry on a real
good discussion/debate with many. He was involved with his boys’ endeavors…
though he never ever put on a pair of skates, he coached a few hockey teams and
baseball teams too. Bob took referee courses and a hunting course in order to
be able to get involved and became the Vice President of the local community
club for six years. He played tight end
for the University of Manitoba Football Team for a short period and was a Lazy
Boy Armchair coach for many teams. He played a good game of golf and treasured
the time he golfed with his Dad at the Polo Park Course. Bob followed up by introducing his sons,
nephew, brother-in-law, and neighbour to the game, but he never played just to
“WIN”, but just to have a good, honest game.
He could throw a few good rocks curling or fly a pretty straight dart at
the Churchill Legion. A very avid
reader… Louis Lamour westerns ranked high along with “out-of-mind” sci-fi,
Adele would mutter “Put down the book and play with me.” (This worked when the
kids asked).
Spiritual Life was loved by Bob and he never
missed a Sunday at his “Adopted” Roman Catholic Church and often lent a hand at
church needs – counting money, helping at Bingo, and ensuring that his three
sons were never late for altar serving. He fished with his boys at many trout
ponds, the dock, and Hecla, but refused to eat fish even if it was labelled
“White Steak”. He enjoyed casinos
(secretly he was only indulging Adele, Joanie, and Romana – his Harem). He taught his boys chess and how to plant a
garden, garlic, and potatoes, and how to mow the lawn the right way. He would
tackle any fix-it job.
Bob was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in 2000
and participated in a Clinical Trial for 12 years and earned the title of
Warrior for his endurance and lack of ever complaining. He developed a very strong affection for his
Oncologist Dr. Andrew Maksymiuk, his clinic nurse Kathi Klapp, and the angels
who delivered his four needles every six weeks. Thank you to all those super people.
Because of Bob’s spirit and scientific mind, those relative parts of his body
have been donated to Cancer Care Manitoba for research and follow-up.
Travel became the best of all things to Bob
and heading south in the dead of Winter to Arizona – staying at Joanie’s condo
for two or three months, picking and eating fresh grapefruit, walking all over,
seeing new sights, gathering kumquats for his Eagle, and plants for Joanie at
Scottsdale Markets was very near to Heaven.
Then taking a holiday from the vacation to go to Vegas or La Canada to
visit Ross, Lenza, Katherine, and Jonathon for good food and beautiful
surroundings that lead to great times.
We will miss this gentleman; this kind man
with the big smile, this tremendous loving father, this greatest of husbands,
this friend, defender, lover, this super person – my Bob.
On Tuesday, December 10, 2013 Bob’s Funeral
Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Memories in Wojcik’s
Funeral Chapel, 1020 Main Street @ Manitoba Avenue with (Retired) Rev. Canon
Bryan D. Bjerring (cousin of Bob) officiating.
No one knows the true worth of a man but his
family. The dreary man drowsing,
dropped-jawed on a bus, the office bore, the taciturn associate he may be the
pivot of a family’s life, welcomed with open arms and hugs, told the day’s
news, asked for advice. No longer Mr. B,
but Dad. No longer a nonentity, but a
man possessed of wisdom and skills, courageous and capable, patient and kind. Respected
and loved. Author Unknown
Donations
may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.
Wojcik’s
Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 1020 Main Street, 204 – 586 - 8668, is in
care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com.
Wojcik’s
FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM
1020 MAIN STREET
204 – 586 - 8668
www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
No comments:
Post a Comment