Peter Martin Hladiuk

Peter was born in 1942 in Sheridan, Manitoba, to his parents Mike and Cassie Hladiuk. He was raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he married Sonia Harasymchuk in 1966. Together, they raised three sons, Darrin, Dale, and Dean. Peter was genuinely excited to become a Gido to Morgan, Devan, Aaron, Shaylin and Max. After Sonia’s passing, Peter was fortunate to find companionship with Pat Nash

While busy working and raising a family with Sonia, Peter still found time for hobbies and friendships. He loved getting together with friends, playing hockey, ball and spending time fishing and hunting. Peter had no shortage of stories from these pursuits. While there may be little photographic evidence to support his stories, according to him, he always caught the biggest fish, and he never missed a shot.

Peter worked for many years at Crown Paper and later became self-employed as a hardwood floor installer—a trade at which he truly was one of the best. He put all those skills to use when he built both cabins at Pike Lake.

He eventually made Pike Lake his permanent home where he became a member of the Navy Avenue community where everyone looks out for each other. At the lake, he enjoyed a good visit and didn’t mind hearing the occasional bit of neighbourhood gossip, especially if it came with a laugh.

While life at the lake certainly had its perks, Peter developed a bit of an obsession with his water, and with his water pumps. To Peter, being “out of water” meant the tank was anything less than completely full. Despite owning several brand-new water pumps, he spent countless hours fixing the old one, unwilling to give up on something that might still be useful. And if fixing that stubborn pump happened to be an excuse to get his sons out to the lake, well, all the better. Maybe it was about keeping the old pump running, maybe it was about checking their skills, or maybe, it was about spending time together. Knowing Peter, it was probably a bit of all three.

While living at the lake, Peter also found new hobbies. Thanks to his friend Dennis, Peter developed a love of horses. He enjoyed time caring for the horses and watching them race. Peter was always convinced that the next horse would be the big winner. While none became the next superstar, the joy the horses brought him was priceless. Peter also came to appreciate his chosen daughter Mei’s work as a dried-flower artist. He was always on the lookout to help her find just the right bloom even if it meant randomly, and sometimes recklessly, pulling over on a busy highway the moment the perfect flower caught his eye. In true Peter fashion, he soon appointed himself as Mei’s creative director, often offering unsolicited, good, advice.

Since Peter was actively learning new things and taking on new hobbies, his family and friends believed there was still much more time for more chapters and more “Peterisms” to come. In his absence, those left behind are reminded of one of the lessons he lived by: never throw something away someday someone will always need it. Whether it was old tools, spare parts, or that stubborn water pump, Peter believed in holding on. In the same way, his sons, grandchildren, and his chosen daughters Pam, Mei, and Dee will now hold on to the love, the memories, the advice, the teasing, and the elusive hugs.

Peter was one of a kind, a man no one will ever forget. He will be lovingly remembered by his family and the many friends he made along the way.