PANKRATZ, Peter
October 15, 1937 - October 29, 2011
Peter passed away at home from cancer at the age of 74. He is now at peace with the Savior he loved. Peter was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Canada in 1948 with his mother and two siblings. He spent his youth in Arnold, BC and went to MEI High School where he met his wife, Mary. Peter and Mary both attended Columbia Bible College, called MBBI then. Peter and Mary were married on August 15, 1964 in Aldergrove, BC and they moved to Nanaimo in the summer of 1965. Peter graduated from UBC with his elementary teaching certificate in 1966 and later with his professional teaching degree in 1969. He worked for the local school board as an elementary school teacher for 29 years until he retired in 1994. He worked at Departure Bay Elementary, Princess Royal Elementary and Dufferin Crescent Elementary. Peter was an active member of Departure Bay Baptist Church for 46 years and was involved as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and, after his retirement, with the maintenance on the church property. He could be seen at the church most days with his red truck, working and doing whatever needed to be done, all for the glory of God.
Peter is survived by his wife, Mary, of 47 years, children Lynne, Brian (Lana) and Lori (Karl), grandchildren Alexander, Kaitlyn, Hudson, Jenna, Elizabeth and Mikaila. He is also survived by his brother John (Laura) and his sister Helen (John).
A memorial service will be held at Departure Bay Baptist Church on November 5, 2011 at 1 PM. 3510 Departure Bay Road, Nanaimo.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Peter may be made to World Vision Canada.