PETER ORLUKIEWICZ

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PETER ORLUKIEWICZ February 20, 1919 - May 14, 2005 With profound sadness we announce the passing of Peter Orlukiewicz. Peter was born near Braslow in Poland. He was predeceased by his parents, Augustine and Bronislawa; brothers Lucian and Leon and sister Jadwiga. He will be lovingly missed by his beloved wife of 55 years Genia; their two sons George J. Orle (Elizabeth Gornik) and Thomas (Heather); their three grandsons, Paul (Sharon), Daniel, Brian and his sister Appolonia. Among his many nieces and nephews, Richard Szczepanski (Vera), Jean Phillips, Anthony Szczepanski, Barbara Ozadczuk, Helen Kuczma (Jeff). He also leaves to mourn his namesake nephew Peter Arlukiewicz (Monique) whom he regarded as a third son. At the age of 19, Peter involuntarily left his family when he was conscripted into the Soviet Army as a result of the invasion of his homeland by the Soviet Union. Sent to the Gulag, he survived to be liberated by his inclusion into the Free Polish Army and subsequently fought with the British Army through the Middle East and Italy. After V.E. Day he accepted the reward of life in Canada as a free man instead of a return to a life of communist subjugation in his native Poland. Peter was a proud Canadian, never regretting his choice to become a Canadian Citizen. He remembered his country of origin by actively working and serving in the Polish Combatants Association and thereby helping to return his homeland to a place of democracy and freedom. Prior to his life long employment with the CPR, Peter trained as a carpenter. His skills and enjoyment of building remained with him throughout his life as he renovated and then built each home his family occupied. He then rebuilt and helped build the homes of his children. His last most heartfelt regret was his inability to assist in the renovation of the home for his first grandson Paul. Although he encouraged and pressed his children to become educated and to both become professionals, the common measure of his respect for each was, What can you do with your own hands. Our family would like to thank the staff of the Seven Oaks Hospital for the skill and kindness they have exhibited over the last three years on Peter's numerous attendance. They treated him with respect and courtesy and his last days despite his pain were spent in dignity and courage. To the end, it was the young soldier that occupied his mind, alas not his body. On Friday, May 20, viewing will commence at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. both at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Ave. Interment will follow at Holy Ghost Cemetery. Cropo Funeral Chapel 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 18, 2005