LEWOCHKO: In Loving Memory of Peter Lewochko who was born July 8, 1921 at Rowa Rushka, Poland and passed away January 29, 2013 at Saskatoon, SK. Peter will be remembered by his friends. The Funeral Service was held Friday, February 1, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. from Battleford United Church, Battleford, SK with Rev. Nora Borgeson officiating. Gift of music by Mrs. Joan Harrison, organist and Hymn Selections "In The Garden", "Softly & Tenderly" and "How Great Thou Art". Interment followed at Town of Battleford Cemetery, Battleford, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. 446-4200 Eulogy I had the honour of meeting Peter 15 years ago. To this day, I still remember our first visit and the impression Peter left. Little did I realize that, all these years later, I would be standing here talking to you about Peter. Over the years Peter would tell me stories about his life. It is these stories that I want to share with you today. Peter was the son of Polish immigrants. As was typical back in those days, his family started their new life as pioneer farmers. Fortunately for Peter, his family believed in education. This was good because Peter was very proud to be able to go to school. Peter liked school and he liked learning. Typical of many pioneer farmers, life was tough. The work was hard and too often the weather even harsher. This left Peter's family with no choice but to take Peter out of school so he could help on the farm. So Peter went farming. Peter found he liked farming. So Peter became a good farmer. Peter liked being a farmer so much, that he became passionate about farming. Peter wanted to be an even better farmer. To do this, Peter decided he needed to learn to read and write. So Peter taught himself to read and write. Peter became very good at reading and writing so this would make him an even better farmer. Peter became passionate about reading. The years went by and Peter enjoyed farming and the passing of the seasons. After many years farming, Peter decided it was time to retire. So Peter retired and moved into Battleford. Not just any place in Battleford. It had to be a place with a big garden. Sometimes you just can't get farming out of the farmer. Peter had a garden for a lot of years. Not just any garden. Peter's Garden. Peter's garden was always lush, green and perfect. Peter was passionate about his garden. Peter learnt to can from his mother. Yes, Peter canned what he harvested from his garden. Peter liked to can. Over the years, Peter made his mother's canning recipes his own. His mother's canning became Peter's canning. Peter was a man that excelled at what he became passionate about. Not only did he enjoy doing what he was passionate about, it was very important to be really good at it. Peter also enjoyed birds. So Peter learnt about birds. Peter not only could tell you what type of bird you were looking at but also what it ate, what type of nest it built, how long it lived, where it migrated to and when. Peter was passionate about birds. Peter was also passionate about fishing. Summer fishing, not ice fishing. Once fishing season arrived, Peter's fishing rod and tackle box were always ready to go. A quick phone call to a buddy and Peter would be off fishing. They would travel in his buddy's vehicle of course because Peter's vehicle burnt too much fuel to be running out to the lake. Peter had a little Chevy that probably did 40 plus miles to the gallon. Peter was also a practical man. No airs about him. I used to smile when I would see his little red Chevy in his driveway on a hot day with a 2 by 4 propped up in the tailgate for airflow so the car didn't get too hot sitting in the driveway. Peter really enjoyed his Hillcrest years. You didn't dare mess with Peter's days and times for visiting at the Hillcrest Senior Centre unless it was to fish. Peter was passionate about donuts. Old fashioned was Peter's favorite but whatever type you took him would be his favorite for that day. For Peter, no matter how much he liked those donuts, there had to one for you too. Peter did not eat donuts alone. Now we come to the end of Peter's life. Peter lived out the last of his days at Harwood Manor. A little too luxurious for Peter but I think Peter managed to get used to it. Peter was happy at Harwood Manor. He could visit and talk about farming and fishing. Moving forward, I know I will remember Peter and every time I think of Peter, I will smile. Looking back, I know Peter had an influence on me. I learnt things from Peter and I consider it an honour to have learnt about Peter's amazing journey through life. At times, I have wondered what happens when a person who has never married or had children passes on. Who is left to remember them? Well, I do know Peter will be remembered. I will remember Peter and I am sure there will be others who will remember Peter for many years to come. Why? It was important to Peter that people do the right thing. It was also important to Peter that he do the right thing. In the end, that is exactly what Peter will achieve and leave as his legacy. Peter wanted it that way because Peter was passionate about doing the right thing for generations to come and what better way than to leave a legacy to education that will be there for many years. Thank you, Peter. ____________________________________________________
