PETER JACK MELNYK

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PETER JACK MELNYK After a four year struggle with a chronic lung disease Peter passed away at Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg, MB, on September 26, 2002. Peter was born February 25, 1919, at Fish Creek, SK. He was predeceased by a younger brother Michael, 1923; his father Jack, 1972; his mother Helen, 1974; brother Walter 1997; sister Helen Trombley, 1993. He leaves to mourn his passing daughter Regina, Springside, SK; son Lanny; sisters Alice Solypa and Marcella Melnyk; brother Jerry Melnyk; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; a special friend and companion, Rose, who cared for him during his illness. In 1927 Peters parents moved with their three children to Carrot River, SK, where Peters father had previously been to clear the land and build a house and barn before moving the family. Growing up during the Depression, Peter started working at a very young age, first as general farm labour and then threshing crews and lumber camps. He soon developed a liking for heavy equipment and worked for Meyers Brothers clearing land, building roads, digging dugouts and cutting and hauling lumber throughout Saskatchewan. In the early 1950s Peter bought a farm east of Carrot River where he farmed some 15 years. After selling the farm, Peter spent some time on the road with a paving crew through western Canada. In 1965 Peter moved to Weyburn, SK, where he was owner and operator of Drons Dry Cleaners. He retired from the cleaning business in 1979. He kept busy with part time work at the King George Hotel in Weyburn, travelling and helping his daughter and husband Fred. He got involved in a challenging project assisting in building their home which was a geodesic dome in Springside, SK. He was very proud of this accomplishment. Traffic was always stopping on the highway to see this house as they were building it. He took pride in a job well done whether it was farming, construction or his dry cleaning plant. He finally moved to Winnipeg in late 1980 where he had the opportunity to help with his sisters and brother-in-laws service and installation business in the dry cleaning and hospital laundry installations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This was a great challenge to him. As a young man and in retirement Peter enjoyed dancing. He took in the dance clubs and legions in Winnipeg wherever there was a band until his health forced him to quit. Thank you to the nursing staff and doctors of 4 West Deer Lodge Centre for their care during the last 15 months of his life. Also a special thank you to Diane (V.O.N.) for the home care he received. As per Peters wishes there will be no funeral. As his mother and father did, Peter has donated his body to the University of Manitoba Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science for research. Burial at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 05, 2002