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WLADIMIR PETRIUK
Born: Jul 24, 1929
Date of Passing: May 16, 2016
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWLADIMIR PETRIUK July 24, 1929 - May 16, 2016 On Pentecost Monday, Wladimir Petriuk gave up his spirit and left this vale of tears. Heads bowed, with love and tenderness we mourn him: Susanne Petriuk, beloved wife; cherished daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren: Daniela, Bob, Anthony, Dominique and Benedict Wightman; Andrea, Mike, Katie and Emilie Cook; Martina, Dale, Daphne and Julian Hutchison; and Linda Christina Lopez. Wladimir was predeceased by his son-in-law Hugo Lopez, and his parents Marie (Schaeffer) and Georg Petriuk. His only brother, Alexander, survives him. Wladimir was born in Czernowitz, Romania, enjoying an idyllic childhood. He was forever nostalgic about the Bukowina, with earthy stories of swimming naked in the river and walking barefoot in pastures of fresh manure. As a young man, Wladi immersed himself in the conservatory studying music and selling books in Austria. Attired in a beautiful suit and exquisite shoes that cost a month's salary, he charmed Susanne Wannack at a dance garden in Innsbruck. He invited her on a date, but did not honour the appointment! She had resolved to forget him but she ran into him later that very evening. She treated him like air, despite his profuse apologies - he missed his train, he could not get a message to her, und so weiter. Not one to cut off her nose to spite her face, she kept him in suspense with a judicious measure of disdain and then capitulated. They were married six months later on December 22, 1956, though her family did not altogether trust this suspicious Fremde with the strange accent. And a red flag: he had his own car in economically straitened post-war Europe. Intent on immigrating to Canada, Wladi carried his bride across the threshold of the Atlantic Ocean, disembarking on September 23, 1957. They made Winnipeg their home, worked hard, made friends, and soon their first born, Daniela, arrived, followed by three more daughters, Andrea, Martina and Linda. They bought a bungalow in Transcona, and Wladi ran his business as "Walter" in the North End. He was active in the German House, singing in the men's choir, and for years he served on the board of Holy Spirit Credit Union. Wladimir and Susanne made careful plans and celebrated accomplishments, allowing for small luxuries along the way. Wladimir worshipped Susanne. To him she was Mumpitz, and to her he was Ladi. They understood each other most fundamentally, though they were very different from one another, and they shared and divided their daily labours naturally without much discussion. Ladi was very proud of his "dotters" - Daniela was Matzl (for Hosenmatz, an imp that hides in pockets), Andi was Zuzi, and the youngest were Tinchas and Linchas. Ladi's pursuits were intellectual. He consumed volumes of science and history, was versed in several languages, and would prefer to discuss academic subjects over small talk or popular culture - he was delightfully eccentric and entirely free of arrogance. His cousin, Dieter, exclaimed that Ladi had never forgotten his Latin from the Lyceum and would correct his younger relative: "No, it is not aedificum' - it is aedificIum', which persists in the English edifice'." He had a wonderful knowledge of classical music, in youth practicing the violin for hours until ceding that he would never be a virtuoso. He would recount arcane tales, that Franz Liszt, an Abbe, required his mistress to kneel in prayer with him at bedtime. He was an excellent friend, universally likeable for his amusing good humour and engaging conversation. He was respected for his philosophical intelligence, and loved for his open and really good heart, by women and men alike. On first acquaintance, he was by default charming. His friendship with the Fialas, Klatts and Meyers was for life. His sons-in-law found him an easygoing addition to their summer canoe trip, dubbing it The Wladimir Voyage. He was blessed with an instinct for happiness, and was slow to anger. He was understanding without limit, knowing he could not be perfect himself. "We are all sinners" he would say with a melancholy smile, and accept an apology instantly, free of conditions in genuine forgiveness. He was a profoundly devout Roman Catholic, converting from the Greek Orthodox faith in his 20s. He was a steadfast parishioner at Blessed Sacrament. Hard of hearing and unable to discern the readings, he preferred to recite the Rosary silently during mass. Did this living saint have any flaws? Yes he did! He was forever late picking up Mumpitz from work on Saturday at Eaton's. Infuriatingly he would, but habitually! leave the water running in the laundry room. And the stories of the Bukowina or the fascinating details of some National Geographic subject could become langweilig to endure. But that ... is ... all. Yet he eschewed receiving Communion at mass unless having made Confession. Wladimir's observation on the death of his son-in-law was uttered with a countenance illuminated with mystery: "Eternity has just begun for him." Let us trust in his deep belief in everlasting life, and repeat for this good and faithful servant: "Eternity has just begun for Wladimir Petriuk." The Petriuk clan thanks all who cared for his body and soul in the last days of his life, especially Dr. Patel and the nurses at Seven Oaks General Hospital, and Fr. Chris and Fr. Rodrigo Lazarte. The Funeral Mass for Wladimir Petriuk will take place at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 710 Roanoke St., Winnipeg, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., Fr. Rodrigo Lazarte presiding, with Viewing at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon follows in the parish hall. Burial is at 2:00 p.m. at Thomson "In the Park" Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. Funeral Arrangements in Care of: Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematorium 1800 Day Street - 204-224-1525 Please sign the book of memories at www.wheelerfuneral.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 21, 2016
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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Dear Christina (Linchas), Please accept my sincere condolences and know how sad I am for all of you. My tears join yours in this difficult time for you and your family. Wladimir was warm and lovely person and so I enjoyed our short visits in the Seven Oaks hospital. Wladimir lit up a room with his presence. He had warmest smile, love he had for you, your mom, and three of your pretty sisters, and his beautiful spirit, that will live on forever with you! I hope that you are somewhat comforted by the memories of Wladimir, your dad, right now. Look back on all of the good memories you were able to have, a smile at the fact that you were able to share these with your dad before he passed away. When we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven to watch over us. Now you have two of the loveliest angels to keep watch over you. I know from few of your dad’s stories of you, that he was so very proud of you and three of your sisters. I cannot take away sorrow, but I hope it helps little knowing you are in thoughts and prayers of others. - Posted by: Drago Lambeta (Friend) on: May 26, 2016
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Opi was my father-in-law but so much more than that. He was my trusted friend, my confidant, my compass and a man I never tired spending time with. I will miss him dearly for all of my days on Earth. I laugh when I think how Opi went to confession every Sunday. What in the world did he have to confess. Maybe doing 62 in a 60? Sneezing on his hand? He was a saintly man. Never crude, never swore, never spoke ill of others, he worked hard all his life, loved his wife Susi and his 4 lovely " doughters", his 7 grandchildren, his 3 sons-in-law, his dear friends and the world. He was extremely well read and often I would pretend to understand what he read just so I did not look dumb. He was so intelligent yet never boastful. Humble should have been his nickname. Opi was never alone in his last few weeks in hospital. If Omi was not at his side Tina or Andi were. He had a 24 hour Honour Guard to keep him safe and loved. I will never forget how Andi slept at the hospital every night so Opi would feel safe. He would often awake in the early hours and ask for porridge, porter house steak, water or to tell her a story. That is love. We have decades of wonderful memories and in oral tradition will have our respective life times to talk about our Opi. God bless and keep you safe Daddy/ Opi. I love you. Your Mikey - Posted by: MIKE COOK (SON IN LAW) on: May 25, 2016
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I don`t think I have ever met a mans so kind, so gentle, or so thoughtful. Walter had a way of making everybody round him feel comfortable. He was a great listener and a great story teller. His smile and laughter could brighten up a room. We will all miss him dearly. - Posted by: Reg Wightman (Friend) on: May 24, 2016
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Opi was the only grandfather I ever really knew. So it goes without saying that he was the best and my favorite grandfather ever...but he would have been a tough act to beat. Everybody knows Opi for his stories, 86 years worth of them, thanks to his impeccable memory. It is said he remembers his first day on earth. The last story Opi told me was about pizza pops and the invention of perogies. We came to the conclusion that pizza pops are nothing but big perogies. And apparently cherry perogies exist? I will not rest until I find these. It was so different being a civilian in a hospital, rather than staff. It's harder. But spending those final few days with you, I don't think any of us would trade them for the world. Thank you for being our guardian angel: always while you were here with us, and now while you are looking down upon us. We will miss you every day. - Posted by: Katie (Granddaughter) on: May 23, 2016
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We were all so lucky to have had Opi in our lives. Not everyone gets to meet an angel in their lifetime. Always patient, always kind, completely loving and generous with his thoughts and time. Opi loved spending time with his family, and we in turn loved spending time with him. Telling stories, and listening to his, some from 80 years ago, which he could recall with amazing accuracy. In the last week that Opi was in the Maples Care Home, he showed me a photo album of pictures of his family, old black and white photos, from when he was a child and younger. Pictures of his parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends. And each photo had an accompanying story, again, relayed with perfect memory, no faltering on names or circumstances surrounding a particular photo. My 26 years was not enough time to spend with him, but he will always be here with me in my heart. We love you, Opi. - Posted by: Emilie (granddaughter ) on: May 23, 2016
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Such a wonderful trusted man is rare today. He was so loved & cherished by his family. He will be so missed, but he is still within all of us. He is part of your DNA & his memory is part of yours. He will always be here. Shalom z'l. - Posted by: Ken Blankstein-Ure (Friend) on: May 23, 2016
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Suzanne/Daniela, I was so sorry to hear of Walters passing. He was a wonderful man. I know he has left you with an endless supply of amazing memories. "One of the god guys". - Posted by: Clive Wightman (Brother of Daniela' hisband) on: May 22, 2016
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When I think of my Opi I imagine him at the cottage sitting in his chair on the porch. The sun is shining and he is in his usual spot by the window reading one of his many National Geographic magazines or nose deep in one of his novels. He was always happy to talk and share stories of his childhood with me. When I was ten I showed him my loose tooth and he in turn shared with me the story of the time his mother tried using a pair of pliers on his and when that didn't work she tied an end of string to the door knob and the other end to his tooth. This is one of the many tales my Opi told me during the sixteen years I knew him. I wish I could have listened to many more but I'm very grateful and lucky for the ones I'm left with. I feel so blessed to be able to call such a kind, intelligent, loving and strong man my Opi and he will forever have a place in my heart. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Daphne Hutchison (Grand Daughter ) on: May 22, 2016
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Our dear Daddy, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2016, at 2:39 p.m. Our sister, Linda Christina, wrote Daddy's Obituary. She wrote so lovingly, and just "so", that anyone who knows Daddy, or, who doesn't know Daddy -- knows Daddy better now, because of the words that "C. Lo" wrote. I thank you; I believe that no one else could have captured in words, how wonderful Daddy is. For Daddy; I miss you, I love you. I wish I could be with you now in Heaven; but it will take only a few short years until I'm with you again (if I'm good enough to enter God's Kingdom). I asked you Daddy; "Will I see you in Heaven?", and you gave an almost impalpable smile, hunched your shoulders slightly, and said to me: "Only God knows." Your Andi, your Katie and Emilie, and Mike - have set our clock alarms for 2:39 p.m., to help us stop, daily, and say prayers for you. I think: What is Daddy doing in Heaven now? And it's easy actually: He's praying for all of us. With all my love, your Andi. - Posted by: A. Cook (daughter) on: May 21, 2016