Peter Dewis

Peter Victor Porter Dewis

September 18, 1926 - January 9, 2010

On January 9, 2010 Peter Dewis passed away peacefully at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 83 years with family members by his side.

He was predeceased by his parents Victor Porter Dewis and Carrie Leota Dewis (nee Cole), his wife of 39 years Fern Dewis and brothers and sisters-in-laws Audrey and Walter Miller and Frank and Hazel Galbraith. He is survived by his son Larry (Bev) and grandchildren Jay (Julene) and Kelsey; daughter Lynn (Mark) Booker and grandchildren Bradley and Janelle; son Scott (Leanne) and grandchildren Alissa and Shane, as well as special friend and companion Joan Hochbaum whose influence contributed to Dad's well being over the past two decades.

Peter was born in Neepawa, Manitoba as his family operated a fox farm in Birnie, Manitoba. He was the only child. The family moved to Portage la Prairie when he was young and received his education at Victoria School and Portage Collegiate Institute.

He was raised in a small house on Garland Street near the Southside Rink. This suited him fine as he was so passionate about sports, competing in hockey, fastpitch softball, curling, slopitch softball and golf until his health prevented further participation.

Although small in stature, he more than made up for it with his desire and competitive nature. Dad was fortunate to have played on several championship teams. He was humble about these accomplishments but was grateful to be nominated and elected to the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame in the all around category, the Manitoba Sport Hall of Fame as an executive member of the Centennial Cup winning Portage Terriers and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame as a goaltender with the 1956-57 Poplar Point Memorials.

Dad cherished the many bonds of friendship be made through sports. He thrived on the competition as well as the camaraderie afterwards.

Dad thoroughly enjoyed watching sports on TV or listening to games on the radio. In recent times, his main source of conversation revolved around the Portage Terriers, the Toronto Jays, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers or curling.

At the age of seventeen and a half, Dad volunteered and joined the R.C.N.V.R. (Navy) and served aboard two ships doing convoy duty in the North Atlantic during WWII. Upon returning to his home town, he met and eventually married Fern Isobel Galbraith from Burnside in 1952. Together they raised their family at the corner of 16th Street and Crescent Road West. In parenting they used the good cop, bad cop routine in their strategy with Dad being the disciplinarian.

Dad was seldom without a pet dog, getting great pleasure from "man's best friend."

During his working days, he was employed at the Daily Graphic, Eatons for 15 years and was the assistant manager at the first IGA store in Portage. In 1960, he embarked on a new career as a psychiatric nurse at the Manitoba Developmental School until his retirement in 1985. During that time he developed close relationships with staff and clients alike. Dad was comical, had a sharp wit, nicknames for alot of the people and liked to joke with those he felt close to.

Dad was a self taught mouth organ player. He felt satisfaction by making music and entertaining others. It also provided an interest for him when John Sushelintsky asked him to play with the Good Tyme Guys at the Lions Prairie Manor on Thursdays.

Considering the health issues he had to face in the past couple of years, he coped well and with dignity. He decided he had to play with the hand he was dealt and make the best of it.

Dad has been a long time member of McKenzie United Church as well as the local Royal Canadian Legion and ANAF.

Our family would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to his friends over the years, to Dr. Jim Price, and especially to the on going daily care he received while at the Lions Prairie Manor and Portage District General Hospital in his time of need.

In compliance with Peter's wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. In honour of Dad, there will be an evening of remembrance on Thursday, January 14 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the ANAF Hall upstairs (25 3rd Street NE, Portage la Prairie). There will be opportunity for those who wish to share a memory at 7:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Portage Terriers Junior A Hockey Club, Box 33, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3B2 or to the Adhoc Committee - Ball Diamond #9 Project of the Republic Park, c/o The City of Portage la Prairie, 97 Sask. Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0L8 will be appreciated.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared forby McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapelwww.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 857-4021