FERDINAND WILLIAM PETERSON

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FERDINAND WILLIAM PETERSON December 22, 1917 - February 27, 2010 Peacefully, on February 27, 2010 Ferdinand passed away at the age of 92 at the Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, BC. He is predeceased by his loving and faithful wife of 57 years, Elsie, his mother, Francis, brother, Norman and sister, Gertrude. Ferdinand is survived by his daughter, Treasure (Debbie), sons, Garry (Kim), Randy (Verna), grandsons Cory and Travis, great-grandchildren Madison and Tyler, his sisters, Florence, Adelene and Phyllis, many nieces, nephews and friends. He is also survived by his common-law spouse of eight years, Urszula Zielinski and Urszula's daughters Kamila and Marta of British Columbia. Born in Winnipeg, MB, Ferdinand comes from a long line of musicians and in turn, he put the music into his three children. He played jazz drums throughout the jazz era in Winnipeg and worked as a lead mechanic for Air Canada for 40 years. Ferdinand had a passion for dancing. He and his wife, Elsie, were jitterbug champions of Winnipeg in 1951 dancing to the music of Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong. With the passing of his wife, Ferdinand met Urszula at a single's dance in British Columbia. He and Urszula danced at many single's dances in the lower mainland. She brought him a great deal of happiness in his final eight years. Viewing will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel at 11:00 a.m. followed by a service at 1:00 p.m. and interment on Tuesday, March 16. Pallbearers are Jim Kale, Leonard Shaw, Laurie MacKenzie, Gary Koshinski, Howard Klopak of The Guess Who and nephew, John Pesto.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2010