Peter Peter Redekop

Peter Peter Redekop passed away peacefully at the Grace Hospital on April 5, 2017 at age 84. Peter was born October 3, 1932 in Rosenthal, Ukraine to Peter Isaak Redekop and Anna Giesbrecht. Peter was pre-deceased by two siblings, Peter (shortly after birth) and Anna (at approximately age 2), prior to coming to Canada in 1948. Peter was also pre-deceased by his parents, his beloved wife, Elaine (Calder) and sister Helen Harder.

Peter is survived by his children Bruce, Holly (Ted), Penny and Rae; his brother Henry (Nancie) and sister Anne (Bob); his grandchildren Melody (Peter), Clinton (Amber), Braden (Marli), Daniel (Rita), Jessica and Cullen; his great-grandchildren Peyton, Liam, Elijah, Blayse and Lily.

Peter lived in the Ukraine until he was ten, when the Second World War changes his family's life forever. Although family life was strict he loved and respected his parents even if children were to be seen and not heard. His mother was the disciplinarian, but did not always find out everything he was into.

Following a complicated journey through Europe, Peter and his family crossed the ocean on a converted German destroyer, sometimes suffering from violent seasickness. After an eleven day ride, they landed in Halifax in 1948 owing $670.00 for their journey.

Peter's family took up farming and settled in Rapid City, Manitoba. At the age of 16 Peter started English language school and advanced from grade one to grade five in the first Fall-Spring session. Once he had an adequate command of the English language Peter left school to get a job and help pay back the money owing from their trip to Canada.

Peter started his driving career working for the Highways Department in southern Manitoba. When he went to work for MacArthur's Transport he met his friend George Calder. George introduced Peter to his sister, Elaine Calder, who quickly became the love of his life and they were married in 1955.

Peter & Elaine started their family right away and within 5 years had 4 children. They started attending the Brooklands Community Church in 1963 while it operated out of Butterworth School and continued to attend from the time the Church was built in 1964 until the final service in June 1997.

In the mid 1960's Peter went to work for Old Dutch Foods, where he would continue to drive until his retirement in 1998 at the age of 67. Although Peter's profession involved driving he would often be found in the passenger seat outside of work.

Outside of work Peter enjoyed fishing and playing golf. Many family vacations consisted of going on fishing trips and as Bruce got older he joined his dad on the golf course. In later years Penny would also join her dad on the golf course until he was no longer able to play.

When the children were grown Peter and Elaine enjoyed taking winter vacations in the United States. When they started their engraving company their winter vacations were combined with engraving conferences in Las Vegas. This is where Peter developed his fondness for casinos.

When Elaine got sick they sold the engraving company but continued to take their winter vacations to the United States. They planned to purchase a motor home they could rent out during the year and use for 6 – 8 weeks in the winter to take their vacations once Peter retired. Unfortunately Elaine never got to see the motor home they bought. Peter used it a few times but found without his travel companion there was no enjoyment, so after a couple of years he sold the motor home.

When Peter retired from Old Dutch he found he had too much spare time on his hands. To help with his transition to retirement Peter took a part time job delivering trucks for Volvo. After a few years of driving he decided to retire completely.

With all the years Peter spent on the road he was accustomed to spending time on his own. It was not unusual to see him sitting at home alone in front of his television. However, he really enjoyed the company of his family and friends.

As Peter continued to age his hearing declined, which was a side effect of having driven semi trucks for so many years. Although this did not deter him from spending time with his family he tended to become more a recluse from his friends.

In 2011 Peter suffered a diabetic seizure, which resulted in the suspension of his driver's license. When he found out he would have to pay to see a Neurologist, with no guarantee he would get his license back he decided he would give up driving completely.

As Peter got older his health continued to decline. In 2013 he moved into Metropolitan Kiwanis Courts who provided the assisted living he required. He really enjoyed being served his meals like he was in a restaurant.

He enjoyed his trips to the casino, especially in the last few years. He was often heard asking Penny when they were going to go for dinner. What he really meant is "when are we going to the casino".

Although Peter was not one to express his feelings to individuals, he was always quick to share the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Peter has gone to join his beloved wife Elaine, where they will remain Together Forever.

We love and will miss our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. You will remain in our hearts forever.

A celebration of Peter's life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday April 15, 2017 at the Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Drive. A private family interment will take place prior to the memorial.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer a donation to the Diabetes Association in Peter's name.