Peter Paul Popick

Peter Paul Popick entered eternal rest on February 14, 2019 at the Bentley Retirement Home & Residence, Yorkton, SK, at the age of 90 years.  Peter was born April 6, 1928 to Alex and Paulina (Zadorozna) Popik on the family farm in the West Bend district. He was the youngest of 10 children. After completing his high school education at St. Joseph’s High School in Yorkton, Peter attended Normal School in Moose Jaw from 1950-51 to train as a teacher. It was at Normal School where he met Bernice Shier, to whom he would wed on July 10, 1954. His teaching career path took him to Nora, SK in 1951, Rockglen, SK from 1952 to 1958, and Langenburg, SK from 1958 until his retirement in 1986. Peter’s teaching vocation spanned a total of 35 years during which time he challenged his students and instilled in them a spark for learning. He not only was a teacher, but also a student as he attended summer and distance learning classes to earn his university degree in Education. Peter and Bernice enjoyed a wonderful 52 years of married life, and their family was their pride and joy.  They were blessed with 4 children: Dallas, Barry, Warren, and Andrea, and now 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Both he and Bernice instilled in their children the value of education and their love of teaching; all their children and grandchildren have gone on to pursue post secondary education and strong professional careers. They were both very proud of any and all of their family’s accomplishments. Pete and Bernice were always devoted and involved in the lives of their children and grandchildren, and attended too many sports games, recitals, birthdays, graduations, and special events to count. Peter had a strong sense of stewardship and was active in the community through church, sports, and other organizations.  He was involved in the Knights of Columbus executive at the local and provincial levels, achieving life member status.  He coached, volunteered, and supported many sports teams, especially teams his children and grandchildren were involved in, as well as other community events. Peter could often be heard calling out coaching comments from his designated spot along the inside corner boards at the rink, or calling out strikes as a baseball umpire at sports days. As principal, ”Mr. Popick” was always in charge of the starter pistol or whistle at school track and field meets.  He made many contributions to the Langenburg and district community by establishing the Langenburg Minor Athletic Association, and participating on local and provincial Parks and Recreation Boards. He was an avid gardener. He and Bernice always had a huge vegetable garden and raspberry patch, and shared their harvest with family and friends. He loved playing cards with family or friends around the kitchen table and was an accomplished Kaiser and Whist player. Sadly, after 52 years of marriage, Bernice passed away in 2006 and a part of Peter’s zest for life passed as well. He later found comfort in the company of the residents at the Bentley Retirement Home until his passing. Left to cherish his memory are his children: Dallas (Nadine) Popick, grandchildren Corey (Tracey), Graham, Arielle, great-grandchild Braylen; Barry (Paula) Popick, grandchildren Courtney (Matthew), great-grandchildren Hannah and Harper, Tyler; Warren (Karen Caines) Popick, grandchildren Hayley, Matthew; and Andrea Piche, grandchildren Austin, Taylor, Brooklyn; sister Nellie Tekatch, and numerous nieces and nephews. Peter was predeceased by his father Alex, mother Paulina, sisters:  Annie, Catherine, Mary, Pearl, Agatha (Sister Elias), Sophie, and brothers: Mike, John. His was 90+ years well-lived. Вічная пам'ять (Eternal memory).