Obituary of Peter Langell

PETER LANGELLE Peter Langelle (Pete), 93, passed away peacefully on Monday November 29, 2010 at his residence in West Park Manor, Winnipeg, MB. Pete is survived by his son Peter and wife Shirley of Wetaskiwin, AB, daughter Donna (Fordham) of Ste Rose Du Lac, MB, his grandchildren Tracy Hrehirchuk and Terri Fordham both of Winnipeg, MB, Perry (Christine) Langelle of Edmonton, AB and Jolene Langelle of Wetaskiwin, AB. Pete's four great grandchildren Ethan, Anya, Annika and Sebastian will also miss knowing what a great man he was. Pete is also survived by his younger sister Mary Silver of Vancouver, sister-in-law Julia Landiak of Winnipeg, MB, ex-son-in-law Vern Fordham and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Pete was predeceased by his youngest sister Pauline (at birth), devoted wife, Elsie on October 19, 1996, older brother Bill in November of 1974 nephew Bill in 2002. Pete was the second son of Mathew and Anna Landiak and was born on November 4th, 1917 in Winnipeg's East Kildonan area. He was an active and determined kid who spent his early years playing sports of all kinds, but of course a special favorite with him and his brother Bill was hockey on the Red River. He attended Polson School, and despite the early death of his father, he completed his Grade 11. Life and fortitude took care of the rest of his education. Pete played minor hockey and due to diligent hours of practice and natural talent he was lucky enough to play junior hockey with the Winnipeg Monarchs and won the Memorial Cup in 1937. Because of his natural flair and drive, Pete was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs and played part of the 1937 season with the Syracuse farm team until he was called up to Toronto in the spring of 1938. He played brilliantly with the Maple Leafs during his last year in 1942 when he scored the winning goal in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup playoffs!! The Leafs were down three games and came back to win the final four. What a crowning achievement that was! He was very proud of his hockey career and exceptionally proud of the Stanley Cup ring he received nearly 50 years after that momentous game. During his hockey career, his sweetheart, Elizabeth (Elsie) waited patiently for him to come home and in July of 1942 they were married. Not one to let grass grow under his feet, he enlisted in the Armed Forces and served overseas in England for 4 years in the Canadian Air Force. He again played hockey during his service years both here and in England in order to entertain and distract our troops. His own "distraction", son Peter, was born in 1943 and he returned to Winnipeg in 1944, but only briefly as he and family then ended up in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania where he played hockey for the Pittsburg Hornets for the next 5 years and acted as their Captain also. During this time, Pete's second child, daughter Donna was born in Winnipeg in 1949. His final year of hockey was in 1952 in St Johns, NB. Returning to his home town of Winnipeg in spring of 1953, he took a salesman job with Shea's Brewery. Shea's was eventually bought by Labatt's and he had an extremely successful career with them spanning 30 years. He was a dedicated salesman, with many awards, achievements and admiring clients and friends to mark his memorable presence. His career and eventual retirement with Labatt's left a standard of excellence that was hard to beat! Pete grew up in Winnipeg and, for the most part, resided there until 1958 when, because of his career, he moved his family to Dauphin, MB. He and the family lived there until 1970 when, once again, a career move took him and Elsie, back to Winnipeg where they lived happily and in the center of loving friends for their remaining years. He loved working with his hands and was an excellent carpenter. There was not much that he wouldn't try to tackle on his own! Though he did not like to do the finishing, when he built something, it was there for good! And because of a life-long love of sports, he was an avid golfer, curler and boater, taking part in as many tournaments and events as possible. He loved a good time with friends and family and always seemed to be the life of the party! There wasn't a town or community anywhere in western Canada that he didn't know someone to stop in and "buy a drink". He made friends easily and was loyal, giving and considerate until the end. He was a grand presence all his own and he will live on very fondly in many a memory of fun and laughter! A private family ceremony will be held at the niche at Chapel Lawn in early February. If friends and family so desire donations may be made in memory of Peter to Alzheimer's Society, Canadian Cancer Society or Kidsport Canada-Manitoba 145 Pacific Ave, Wpg. R3B 2Z6. Cropo Funeral Chapel 204.586.8044 1442 Main Street www.cropo.com