Obituary of Peter LAZARENKO

PETER MICHAEL LAZARENKO May 18, 1917 - October 6, 2009 On Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at the Middlechurch Home, Peter Michael Lazarenko, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather passed away at the age of 92 years. He is survived by son Richard (Mary Louise) Lazarenko, daughter Sandra Lazarenko and daughter-in-law Leona Lazarenko. Grandchildren: Derek (Denise) Lazarenko, Carrie Lazarenko (Owen Mooney), Megan (Cory) Francis, David (Colleen) Lazarenko, Leah Blahitka (Mischa Cheater), Tara Blahitka and Travis Blahitka. Step-Grandchildren: Audra (Trent) Goodbrandson and Graham (Kim) Simpson. Great-grandchildren: Andrea, Curtis, Austin, Maya, Adyson and step-great-grandchildren Sydney, Taylor, Nathan, Justin and Ainsley. Peter also leaves to cherish his memory, special friend Jean Smith. Peter was predeceased by his beloved wife, May (1983) and his cherished son, Phillip (2002). As the youngest and only son he was also predeceased by his 6 sisters and his parents, Pankraty and Martha Lazarenko who had immigrated from the Ukraine. Dad was the nucleus of a large extended family. He was Uncle Peter to numerous nieces and nephews whom each felt a special bond with him. He was also Granddad to not only his grandchildren but ALL of the childrens' and grandchildrens' friends. Just say "GRANDAD" and everyone knew who you meant. Entertaining family and friends at home, the lake (Chalet Beach then Ponemah), or Palm Springs was a source of great pride and joy to Dad. Life was always interesting and exciting when Dad was around - houseboat, float plane, fireworks, stories of plane crash survival and endeavors in the north, great food, silly songs, dreams and plans always in the making. Peter's entrepreneurial skills surfaced at an early age when be got involved in the fishing industry, buying and selling fish and working in the fish sheds for the CPR. He expanded his fish business and also worked with several fish companies in Winnipeg. After a partnership with Jim Page at Canadian Fish Producers he opened his own company, Northland Fisheries Ltd-which dealt with buying and selling fish to companies in the USA and Canada. He opened a fish filleting facility on Gunnell St. in Winnipeg. At this time he formed a partnership with Manischewitz Co. of New York to supply their requirements of carp, mullet and whitefish for their specialty fish markets. He opened a fish processing facility at Savage Island, which culminated in the formation of Northland Airlines Ltd. to transport the fish to the base at Netley. He used Canso aircraft that had the ability to land on water or runways. Small aircraft such as Norseman, Beaver and Otter were used to take fishermen and supplies to outlying lakes for commercial fishing and to return to Savage Island for fish processing. Most of the people employed by him were of aboriginal background and lived in the areas of Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Wassagamach and Red Sucker Lake. He entered into an agreement with the Northwest Company to transport perishable goods and gasoline from Winnipeg and Netley to their stores in Northern Manitoba and return with fish from Savage Island for distribution to the USA. He opened Northland Wild Rice Lid. to process wild rice which grows in shallow waters in many of the lakes he fished. The processed and packaged rice was shipped to markets in Canada and USA. Northland Freight and Forwarding was created to transport perishables, groceries and bulk fuel to points on Lake Winnipeg such as Berens River, Poplar River, Big Black River, Warrens Landing, Norway House and Rossville by freight boats, M.S Lady Canadian (donated to the Selkirk Marine Museum), the M.S Lady Northland (now in Kenora), the M.S. Keystone and the M.S. Play Green in conjunction with trucks to Cross Lake, Manitoba. His fleet of tanker trucks supplied Northern Manitoba communities with gasoline and diesel fuel over winter roads constructed by the provincial government. The Manitoba Government was expanding the north and aircraft runways were being constructed at most of the aboriginal communities. Peter found it necessary to expand the airline with the purchase of DC3 aircraft with a capacity for 25 passengers or 5000 lbs. of cargo. Passenger service was set up through the north as far as Thompson from Winnipeg. Northland Airlines bought control of Ilford Riverton Airlines and started passenger service to Northern Ontario. Because of the expansion, Northland Airlines acquired The HS 748 aircraft that had a capacity for 46 passengers or 11000 lbs of cargo. Around this time the company name changed to Air Manitoba. Northland Petroleum had been established and is still supplying petroleum products to Northern Manitoba communities. Sons, Phillip and Richard joined the operations of the Northland companies and daughter, Sandra the Wild Rice Company. To recognize his contribution to aviation and associated facilities Peter was honored as an Aviation Associated Pioneer by the Western Canada Aviation Museum. Peter enjoyed a special relationship - with not only his business associates but also the First Nations people - he called them all FRIENDS. He was always willing to share his knowledge of the north and give a hand up, mentoring many along the way. From the most humble of beginnings to a most remarkable career Dad lived life to the fullest touching many people on his journey. His footprint was large, his contribution was Great. We love you. The family would like to thank Nancy and Charlotte and the caring staff at Middlechurch Home, especially Tracy, Heidi, Kaitlin and Lorraine. A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 14 at 11:00 a.m. in Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Interment will take place in Elmwood Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations may be made to: University College of the North Scholarship Fund Address: UCN College, C/o Judy Hopps, PO Box 3000, The Pas, MB R9A 1M7. Cropo Funeral Chapel 586-8044