Obituary of Pete Klywak

KLYWAK: Pete, beloved father of James (Karen), passed away peacefully at the Portage District General Hospital, on Monday, January 13, 2014 at the age of 93. Pete was born on December 1, 1920 at Shoal Lake, MB. He was the second oldest of ten children (four brothers and five sisters). Pete is survived by his son James (Karen), three grandchildren, Vanessa Schurko, Mathew Klywak (LaDon) and Treina Topfer (Gaston). There are eight great grandchildren, Michael, Anthony, Gavyn, Erika, Kerwin, Christopher, Johan and Rinse, two brothers-in-law, John Kavanagh and Tom Emslie, as well as cousins, numerous nieces and nephews. He served with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada during WW II. Pete married Elizabeth Morison on February 16, 1950 in Rivers, MB. They resided in Bradwardine and Winnipeg, and he was employed as a driver for DND until his retirement in 1985, after 31 years of service. They moved to Brandon in the early nineties, where they resided for 20 years, they were very active with Seniors for Seniors. In March of 2011, they moved to Portage la Prairie to be closer to their son, Jim and family. In his younger years, he was a very active and talented curler, and also a life member of the Legion. Dad enjoyed playing crib, cheering on teams, like the original Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Blue Jays. Mom and Dad traveled a great deal to places like Alaska, the Maritime Provinces and Senior for Senior tours by bus. His priority was his wife of almost 64 years and family. He liked to keep in touch with his siblings and their families. He loved being a grandfather; he drove many miles, and spent countless hours cheering on the children when they participated in sports. Pete was predeceased by his wife, Bette on December 5, 2013 and his brothers Mike, Henry, Joe and Edward and sisters Annie Busko, Mary Seminuk, Phyllis Riddell, Marg Kavanaugh and Lillian Emslie. Funeral service will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, Brandon, on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Donations in memory of Pete may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Room ON1160, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9.