Peter John MCELHATTON

MCELHATTON, Peter John
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend, Peter John McElhatton.
Peter was born on May 28, 1927, in Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland; he peacefully departed this world to be with his Saviour on August 27, 2017. We will miss him every day until we meet again.
Peter is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years (September 22), Mary Josephine; his son, Anthony (Wanda); his daughters, Monica (Randall) and Bernadette; his grandchildren, Theresa (William), Matthew (Kylee), Aisling, Conall, Roisin, Cashel, and Bridget. Peter also leaves a brother, two sisters, and numerous members of the McElhatton and Keenan families in Canada, the United States, England, Ireland, and Australia. Peter was predeceased by his parents, Brigid and John McElhatton; three brothers; four sisters; his parents-in-law, Bridget and Patrick Keenan; and 8 of Mary's siblings.
Peter immigrated to Canada with his wife and three children on Thanksgiving Day, 1967.
He was self-employed as a Masonry Contractor throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Florida. The world is a better place because of what he built and the lives he touched. Peter was an All-Ireland Wrestling Champion in 1957 and in 1958; he won many other Wrestling Titles and Championships in Europe including at the World's Fair in Belgium and he was chosen to represent his country at the Olympic Games in 1960. He pursued his Wrestling Career in Calgary in the late 1960's with Stu Hart. Peter also enjoyed long distance running, winning his age category in a run in Michigan when he was 65. We enjoyed the stories of his life's journey and his travels over many years; he was an adventurer at heart and he loved his family, the Gold Rush and Frontier Mythology of Western Canada and the Western United States, the poetry of Robert Service, traditional Irish ballads, and classic films of the 1950's and 1960's. Peter faithfully returned to his home in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland with his wife, Mary, as often as possible.
We will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for our dad at Assumption Catholic Church on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Mitch Fidyka officiating.