ZIELINSKI:
Peter Paul Zielinski passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 15th 2010, with staff and friends of the Rocky Mountain Village close by.
Peter was born on June 29th, 1926 in Naklo, Slaskie near the region of Tarnowskie Gory, Poland. He had eleven siblings, including Johann, Paul, Anna, Helena, Georg, Fritz, Wilhelm, and Klara; all of which were born to father, Albert Zielinski and mother, Maria Lubos.
From 1926 to 1944 Peter resided in Poland. For two years he served as a member of the 2nd Polish Corps under British 8th Army Command in North Africa and Italy. In 1946 the Communist Government in Poland revoked Peter’s Polish Citizenship because he had become a resident of Great Britain. Peter remained in England until January 13th, 1952 when he moved to Fernie.
Peter worked at the Coal Creek Mines from 1952 until they closed in 1955, transferring to Michel/Natal where he worked underground until a mine accident in 1961. Unable to return to mining, Peter worked for Trites-Woods, Park Crest Furniture and Kaiser Resources until 1970 when he began working as a custodian for School District #1. Peter loved his job and especially enjoyed being around the small children at C.L. Salvador Elementary. He retired in 1992 and will always be fondly remembered for his pocketful of candy.
Peter was past Grand Knight and a 4th Degree Knight with the Fernie Knights of Columbus 0037 and was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 36.
Peter travelled the world; felt pain and sorrow, created laughter and smiles. He stood high, walked with a cane with his head held high, and wheeled around like a champion. He has knelt below his Heavenly Father, shaken hands with old friends, spoken and been spoken to. Illness struck him and he fought hard; his reward is an eternity of strength. He treasured each visit paid him, even if it was only a moment long. He watched his family grow, through his own eyes and through photographs; and now he is rewarded with an eternity of time so that he may watch over them.
Peter is lovingly survived by his 3 sons and their wives: Glen and Cathy, David and Lori and Anthony and Janet; 8 grandchildren: Marina, Wesley, Kelly-Ann, Melanie, Darren, Crystal, Jenny and Jillian; and 9 great grandchildren: Emily, Pyper, Alyssa, Hayley, Jaxen, Ryan, Gavin, Riley, and Jordyn.
How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.
—Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie
Prayers were held at the Holy Family Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 19th. Interment followed at St. Margaret’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon, 4-1551 Sutherland Ave., Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9M9. Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.