Obituary for Peter Daniel Leskiw
PETER LESKIW
October 17, 1957 – April 13, 2022
If you’re reading this and don’t know the name Peter Leskiw, it’s almost guaranteed that he knew you – or at least knew your uncle, high school baseball coach, or second cousin who played guitar in the garage band down the street in the 70s (and yes, we’re pretty sure Greg Leskiw of the Guess Who is a distant cousin of Pete’s, however the stories have blurred over the years ;). Not only could Pete single-handedly prove the six degrees of separation, he would take it one step further, knowing the latest passion project one was pursuing, what position their kid played in hockey, their dog’s name, all while proceeding to ask intentional, earnest questions to learn more. That was Pete’s superpower. He had a genuine and sincere interest in others, a trait that never teetered in his 64 years. He never met a friend he didn’t like, and yet, cancer makes no friends, taking him home on April 13th, 2022.
A born and raised Winnipegger, Pete grew up playing hockey in the winter (with equal love for the game as the house parties – both usually going into the wee hours of the morning). In the summer you could find him hitting home runs on the baseball diamond or collecting the prize for longest drive at every annual All Charities Golf Tournament, much to his Energy and Mines’ teammates exasperation. Peter studied geological sciences at the University of Manitoba, which led to a long and varied career with the Government of Manitoba as a geologist. From geological work to mineral-education outreach, Peter contributed to mineral resource programs across the province, from the US border to Churchill. This is where he continued to grow his love for the outdoors, frequently teaching and training those living in Northern Manitoba (Flin Flon, The Pas, Thompson, Lac du Bonnet), while camping out in tents and work trailers. He never needed much, yet enjoyed ensuring others had plenty.
While Peter’s knack for chatting landed him a first date with Kathy, his wife of 35 years (securing her phone number from her brother-in-law after running into him at the grocery store – you could always find Pete at the grocery store or on a Home Depot run!), it was his gift of thoughtful generosity, along with his ability to show his love, that solidified the deal. Kathy often came home to surprise love notes, roses, wine, and drawn bubble baths.
Perhaps the only people who Peter loved on more than his wife was his boys, Branton and Jaydon. Peter truly adored his sons. While we never heard Peter talk poorly of anyone, he only spoke high, high praise of his boys. He nurtured Branton’s interest in tiling, taking him as a teenager on the job while he worked his side business as the sole owner of New Millennium Flooring. Peter taught him how to work hard and take pride in his meticulous work, just as his Gigi taught him. Peter shared his love of others, particularly furry ones, with his son Jaydon, as they bonded over furry friends in need (it should have come as no surprise that Peter was donating each month to Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter without ever mentioning it).
Whether Peter knew you intimately or just in passing, he made you feel seen. Pete lived a life free of judging others, always giving the benefit of the doubt, seeing one’s unique potential. That was likely in part to the fact that he truly listened more than he spoke, which, if you know Peter, says a lot!
“Our family will cherish memories of spending the holidays and many dinners together talking, and laughing.”
Peter is predeceased by his mother, Stephanie Leskiw (Kalyta) and father, Walter Leskiw. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Kathy; children, Branton (Kayla), Jaydon; grandchildren, Orlo, Olive; brother Mark; sister Susan; and numerous other relatives and friends.
The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, with a light lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care, or Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. Alternatively, honour Pete by throwing on a CCR track, grab a cold one, and learn something new about a friend - or heck, even a stranger!
To share your condolences and view this obituary online, please visit www.friendsfs.ca/obituary-listing.
October 17, 1957 – April 13, 2022
If you’re reading this and don’t know the name Peter Leskiw, it’s almost guaranteed that he knew you – or at least knew your uncle, high school baseball coach, or second cousin who played guitar in the garage band down the street in the 70s (and yes, we’re pretty sure Greg Leskiw of the Guess Who is a distant cousin of Pete’s, however the stories have blurred over the years ;). Not only could Pete single-handedly prove the six degrees of separation, he would take it one step further, knowing the latest passion project one was pursuing, what position their kid played in hockey, their dog’s name, all while proceeding to ask intentional, earnest questions to learn more. That was Pete’s superpower. He had a genuine and sincere interest in others, a trait that never teetered in his 64 years. He never met a friend he didn’t like, and yet, cancer makes no friends, taking him home on April 13th, 2022.
A born and raised Winnipegger, Pete grew up playing hockey in the winter (with equal love for the game as the house parties – both usually going into the wee hours of the morning). In the summer you could find him hitting home runs on the baseball diamond or collecting the prize for longest drive at every annual All Charities Golf Tournament, much to his Energy and Mines’ teammates exasperation. Peter studied geological sciences at the University of Manitoba, which led to a long and varied career with the Government of Manitoba as a geologist. From geological work to mineral-education outreach, Peter contributed to mineral resource programs across the province, from the US border to Churchill. This is where he continued to grow his love for the outdoors, frequently teaching and training those living in Northern Manitoba (Flin Flon, The Pas, Thompson, Lac du Bonnet), while camping out in tents and work trailers. He never needed much, yet enjoyed ensuring others had plenty.
While Peter’s knack for chatting landed him a first date with Kathy, his wife of 35 years (securing her phone number from her brother-in-law after running into him at the grocery store – you could always find Pete at the grocery store or on a Home Depot run!), it was his gift of thoughtful generosity, along with his ability to show his love, that solidified the deal. Kathy often came home to surprise love notes, roses, wine, and drawn bubble baths.
Perhaps the only people who Peter loved on more than his wife was his boys, Branton and Jaydon. Peter truly adored his sons. While we never heard Peter talk poorly of anyone, he only spoke high, high praise of his boys. He nurtured Branton’s interest in tiling, taking him as a teenager on the job while he worked his side business as the sole owner of New Millennium Flooring. Peter taught him how to work hard and take pride in his meticulous work, just as his Gigi taught him. Peter shared his love of others, particularly furry ones, with his son Jaydon, as they bonded over furry friends in need (it should have come as no surprise that Peter was donating each month to Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter without ever mentioning it).
Whether Peter knew you intimately or just in passing, he made you feel seen. Pete lived a life free of judging others, always giving the benefit of the doubt, seeing one’s unique potential. That was likely in part to the fact that he truly listened more than he spoke, which, if you know Peter, says a lot!
“Our family will cherish memories of spending the holidays and many dinners together talking, and laughing.”
Peter is predeceased by his mother, Stephanie Leskiw (Kalyta) and father, Walter Leskiw. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Kathy; children, Branton (Kayla), Jaydon; grandchildren, Orlo, Olive; brother Mark; sister Susan; and numerous other relatives and friends.
The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23rd, 2022 at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, with a light lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care, or Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. Alternatively, honour Pete by throwing on a CCR track, grab a cold one, and learn something new about a friend - or heck, even a stranger!
To share your condolences and view this obituary online, please visit www.friendsfs.ca/obituary-listing.