Obituary of Peter Kripky

KRIPKY: It is with deep sorrow that we share the loss with family and friends of a most gentle man, our father and Gedo (grandfather), Peter William Kripky who passed peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on June 8, 2020, just shy of his 94th birthday.

Peter was born on June 24, 1926, son to John and Helen Kripki in Meacham Sask. He spent his early life on the farm. Upon graduating from Meacham High School, he attended Saskatoon Normal School and began his Teaching career in the fall of 1944. His teaching career spanned 50 years, 25 of which were in Saskatchewan and 25 years in Manitoba before celebrating his retirement in 1994. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees at the University of Saskatoon, then went on to complete his Masters in Education degree at the University of Manitoba. Peter observed many changes going from a one room country school house to the multi roomed High Schools. He was very proud of his many students who went on to successful careers.

In 1953, Peter married Frances Ostapowich of Wynyard, Saskatchewan and in 1962 their daughter Gayle was born. Peter would spend 4 years as the Principal of Nipawin Composite High School before moving to Portage La Prairie in 1969 where he taught until he retired.

Peter was particularly interested in Canadian/World History and Politics. If ever you wanted to discuss the competency of a World Leader, he was game. He also loved watching sports on TV with Curling being his favorite sport to have played and watched. Peter was the best armchair curling coach to ever have watched the game and if he could find a deck of cards handy, you would find yourself playing a game of blind 31 until the wee hours. Lately, he was known to win more often but only because he would forget the rules and make up his own. He was always up for a good BBQ'd steak dinner or Chinese food take out with family. Peter dabbled in gardening. He would be proud to know that his eldest granddaughter, Courtney, has become quite a gardener herself and that his youngest granddaughter, Madison, had planted her first vegetable garden this year. Peter also enjoyed the fellowship in Rotary where he had an amazing 22 year run of perfect attendance. He was President of the Portage Rotary Club in 1976.

Peter's family always came first. He was his granddaughters' greatest fan at dance or music recitals, gymnastics events or any sport they were involved in. He was always there to look after the house and pets if we had to go out of town for sports or holidays. Peter was "Gedo" to his granddaughters' friends and our neighbors too. Never would a special occasion for his wife, daughter and granddaughters go by without red roses.

Peter and Frances moved to Brandon in 2009 to be closer to their family. Peter lost Frances a short time after and 8 years later moved to Victoria Landing. He resided at Victoria Landing until 2019 when he moved to Fairview Nursing Home.

His spirit is carried on by his only daughter, Gayle Kripky White; son in law, Brent White and granddaughters, Courtney and Madison White. He also leaves to mourn many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Peter is reunited with his loving wife Frances; parents John and Helen Kripki; his brothers, Henry (Alice) Kripki and Alexander (Dorothy) Kripki; sisters, Ann (Dmytro) Hrechuk and Ella (Mike) Mochoruk.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th St., Brandon, MB on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery.

We would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at BRHC. Our family is eternally grateful to the staff in Palliative Care for their kindness and compassion. Thanks also to the caring staff at Victoria Landing and Fairview Nursing Home who took great care of dad during his time with them.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3 or to Diabetes Canada "Westman Region", 401-1 Wesley Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4C6.

"A father and grandfather's love is forever – Nothing can take if from you, for it lives in your heart and your memories and is part of all that you do."

The family invites you to watch the Funeral Service for Peter Kripky. Please CLICK HERE