Peter Bish Grabowski

Peter Bish Grabowski passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024 in Edmonton following a lengthy battle with cancer. This brought to an end an interesting life that began on August 21, 1947 in a post WWII relocation camp in Coberg, Germany. When he was four years old, his mother and both siblings, Anna and John left war-torn Europe aboard the MS Nelly, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Halifax and then continued by train to Winnipeg where they would be reunited with their dad who was already waiting with a home for them in Selkirk, Manitoba. The family would remain in Selkirk where “Bish” as he was known to everyone, would lead an exciting and colourful life. He made numerous friends and acquaintances throughout his life on McLean Avenue, in elementary school, at Selkirk Collegiate Institute and the University of Winnipeg. His greatest education was probably world travel. After University he backpacked across Europe twice, making him the first member of the family to cross the Iron Curtain into Poland where he found his fraternal grandmother and all of his mom’s family who welcomed him with open arms. He would leave them with stories of their adventures together in Poland and they would retell for decades afterward.

Bish loved all sports and got his “bell rung” playing hockey and football more than once. He had a passion for collecting and repairing motorcycles and cars. He loved rock and roll music, wrote his own songs and played them on one of the many guitars in his collection. No party was complete without Bish. He had a strong work ethic that led him to many interesting jobs, from being an iron worker and building skyscrapers in Vancouver to selling real estate in Winnipeg and Edmonton and owning his own business, All Star Moving. But, perhaps his favourite job was working for the stage-hand union at Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton where he worked on concerts for stars like the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and many other acts. He loved music!

Bish found the love of his life, Anne Maluta and they married in Selkirk in 1986 and later relocated to Edmonton. They embraced family life with the addition of two children, Christopher and Laura. He would become involved in the Community League, coach soccer and support their children’s interests. Both Bish and Anne became very involved in their church activities that included organizing two sold out shows in the Jubilee Auditorium titled “Ukranian Montage” that featured Ukranian dancers and performers.

Bish had a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs. From his first black lab Zorro to Winnie and Bella today, he and Anne were never without a dog or two.

Peter Bish was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Gladys; his in-laws Roman and Jennie; brother, John and his sisters in law, Dariah and Maria. He will be missed by his wife of 47 years, Anne and their children, Christopher and Laura; sisters, Anna (Tom) Tepleski, Mary (Tony) Shumilak; sister in law, Karen Tayllor and all their families; best friend, Jim Nichol and Anne’s remaining family members.