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PETER ADELARD LETENDRE
January 25, 1946 - December 19, 2021
It is with a heavy heart that his wife Patricia announces the passing of her beloved husband of 49 years.
He was predeceased by his mother Bertha (Betty) Letendre, his father Adelard (Alec) Letendre, and his beloved grandmother Ethel Smee in Ryde, Isle of Wight, UK. He is survived by his two sisters, Jeannette (Jim) Preston and Irene (Les) Henschel.
Peter died peacefully in the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) after a long struggle with his lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Most people die within three to five years of being diagnosed but Peter was in his eighth year post-diagnosis. Special thanks to the caring nurses, doctors, and health care aides who treated Peter during his final stay in UAH.
Peter is a real survivor of many diseases: epilepsy diagnosed in his teens in the 1960s and had no seizures after his seizure medication was finally changed in 1990. He also suffered from recurrent bowel obstructions and had many operations; osteomyeletis (inflammation of the bone) in his left femur; venous stasis (inflammation of the skin in the lower legs due to chronic venous insufficiency), causing blisters that would get infected and need to be treated with antibiotics.
Peter was a grade 10 dropout and later took adult education classes and graduated with a BA in History and English Literature from the University of Winnipeg.
Despite all his diseases Peter was a volunteer for several organizations and supported his wife in whatever she wanted to do and kept her laughing with his humour for every day of their 49 years. He was a talented poet and sketched caricatures and was a kind and generous man to many people locally and worldwide. He was so glad that he got to travel with his wife extensively before his IPF diagnosis.
Along with his wife, Peter will be deeply missed by Patricia's two double cousins (their mothers were sisters and fathers were brothers): Wendy (Larry) Jackson and their daughters, Bonita and Robin of Manitoba; Benita Stafford-Smith and her son Joey of Muscat, Oman. Also by Peter's many dear friends: Eileen Hirst and Pamela Main of Edmonton; Marilyn Booker (Geoff), Milton Keynes, UK; Bernhild Vögel, Germany and Iceland.
There will be a short interment ceremony of Peter's ashes in the cemetery of St. Georges Wakefield Anglican Church located on Number 9 highway halfway between Clandeboye and Petersfield. It will occur on Tuesday, July 5 at 11:00 a.m.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 23, 2022
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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I remember meeting Peter and Pat when I just started working at Westcorp. Their constant smile and greets made my day every time they would either pass by the office or enter. I have a great love and appreciation for them. Peter despite all he was going through he never cease to put Pat ahead of him making sure she was ok. I watched them both and really admire the love and care they have for each other. Sleep well my friend. - Posted by: Kerene (Friend) on: Jul 19, 2022
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Peter was such a kind and gentle soul. I remember how he would always make me laugh with his crazy sense of humour. I always admired how he could paint a picture with his beautiful words. His poetry and paintings were amazing. But his greatest gift of all was bringing love and joy to his beloved wife Pat. He will be dearly missed❤️ - Posted by: Wendy Jackson (Cousin) on: Jun 24, 2022
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I offer two poems by my beloved deceased husband, Peter. Peter's poem, Affliction, won a prize in an Edmonton Journal poetry contest in 1980. Affliction © 1981 Peter A. Letendre When epileptic seizures sudden spring, tripping the feet of pride with stiffened jig, I dance electric from a haywire string, a cheerless smile numbed on drooling lip. Greater than the fit is the odium, beyond the awe of gaped mouths, inflicting the hammerblow that cracks the spirit dumb from pity, ignorance, or deep abuse. Bitterness is easy; yet I must cope with rollercoaster rage that begs, why me? And disregard affliction's narrow scope when pavement thuds against my bleeding face. Another poem that Peter wrote just before his 75th birthday and he never got to see his 76th. It show the wonderful man that Peter was. Turning Seventy-Five © 2021 Peter A. Letendre Well tomorrow I turn seventy-five somewhat delighted I'm even alive. Outside the sky is dark, the ice is clear while I gather wrinkles and smile with cheer. Grateful for all the blessings in my life like that fortunate day I met my wife. She brought me joy and saved me from ruin when I was lost, a motherless bruin, and gently guided me to greater heights by praising how my poetry delights. Yes, tomorrow's new age won't be subdued for the joy of that moment must include love of my partner who fulfills my life and helps me find humour in stress and strife. - Posted by: Patricia Letendre (Wife) on: Jun 23, 2022
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In the year 2008, when we got to be pen pals, Peter wrote to me: "If there is anything I know, I know pain. I have a radar for it. ... I feel things very deeply and when something spooks me, I don't handle it well. My first instinct is to bolt like a scared rabbit. This is the outcome from my childhood. I was raised on fear and had all my emotions shattered. It was Pat who put me together again with her constant love. But not all is bad. The misery of my early years MADE ME a poet, made me incredibly sensitive, creative and whimsical. My heart may have been shattered like crystal but my soul was enriched from all the agony. It took me years to understand it." I have learned so much from you, dear Peter "Whiskers". May you rest in peace! - Posted by: Bernhild Vögel (Friend) on: Jun 23, 2022
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