Peter MANTYKA

February 15, 1929 – November 10, 2008

Peter was born in Vonda, Saskatchewan, the only child of Katherine Mantyka. Sadly his mother passed away during childbirth. Peter was raised by his grandmother, Maria Mantyka and grew up with the Sembalerus family as one of the boys. Peter began his adult life at 15 when his grandmother passed away.

Peter met Elna Lambert in Clinton BC and they were married there on May 9, 1959.

Peter was a labourer most of his life from the Caribou to the Columbia Valley. He always has steady employment and enjoyed side jobs, too. Among those were selling Watkins, Fuller Brush and delivery jobs of all types.

The Mantyka’s owned the Wilmer Grocery and Invermere Bottle Depot and Second Hand Store before he worked at the Radium Sawmill until retiring.

Peter gave much time to the community, volunteering for many organizations and helping bring recognition to the need to recycle long before it was fashionable.

Peter passed away in Invermere at the age of 79.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elna; daughter Katherine (Alf) Hollowink; granddaughters Amadee and Shayna; son Gregory; daughter Lorraine (Rob Swanson); son Steven (Audrey); step-grandsons Logan (Julie) Walker; Joshua (Mufida) Walker, step-great grandsons Josiah and Michaias, unofficial adopted so n Cliff Koski, and many, many friends and relatives. Predeceased by mother Katherine, sons Michael and Patrick.

Peter was a son, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend and most certainly, memorable. He will be missed but always remembered. A celebration of life was held on Nov. 15 at 11 am at the Royal Canadian Legion in Invermere.