Peter Vandenameele

Peter Joseph Vandenameele of Langenburg, Sask. passed away on Sunday, Nov 24, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Esterhazy at the age of 90, with Pat holding his hand and family by his side. 

 Pete, along with his twin brother, Joe, were born on the family farm. Pete was the sixth of eight children born to Archie and Elizabeth.

On July 5, 1958, Pete married the love of his life, Patricia Bot. They were blessed with six children and this year celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Pete loved being a farmer and took over the family farm (Vosper acreage) when they got married. Over the years it was primarily a grain farm, raising cattle, hogs, and chickens.

 Pete worked off the farm in the winter months at the Langenburg Auction Mart, the Gulf Service Station and for over 30 years at the local skating rink where he took great pride in cleaning, painting and maintaining the rink and ice.

Pete was passionate about all sports but especially baseball! He played with Langenburg, Hohenlohe Hornets, Saltcoats and Spy Hill Twilighters. He was thrilled to travel and see his beloved Blue Jays play. He loved playing, coaching, umping, and watching baseball. Pete and his teammates of the Hohenlohe Hornets were honored in 2017 by being inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. Belgium bowling is popular in the Langenburg area due in part to Pete following his dad’s interest in the sport and building a bowling alley on the farm. Curling became Pete’s winter pastime.

 Pete was a deeply religious man. He was a charter member of Langenburg St. Joseph’s Parish Knights of Columbus #5408. Pete was awarded the State Council certificate of merit for his many years as Financial Secretary and was awarded the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council Certificate as Past Grand Knight in recognition of his leadership.

 Pete took very seriously the leadership role of Layperson presiding over Sunday Mass at St. Joseph’s Parish. He also loved music and singing, in the church choir, and for a while with the Barbershop choir and of course the Folk Group at St Joseph’s. Pete, along with family and friends, experienced so much joy as they gathered many Saturday nights for gigs with the band and singalongs that often went to the wee hours of the morning. The family Christmas Eve caroling tradition was near and dear to Pete’s heart, he would continue making requests, never wanting to quit.

 After retiring Pete took on the role of Head Greenskeeper at the Par 3 golf course he developed on the farmyard. He was always happy being at the farm helping Kim and Tom out with grass cutting and enjoying his own garden plot.

 During his transition to retirement, he worked as a hired farm hand during harvest and at Sharpe’s Crop Services.

 Pete enjoyed fishing and camping at Pyotts Point. He made time to deliver Meals on Wheels and volunteered with Minor Hockey and the Rec Department. He delivered Communion to the shut-ins of St Joseph’s Parish and spent hours   planting trees and maintaining the church cemetery. To the very end, Pete remained an avid bird watcher.

In his later years he helped Pat in the kitchen with pickling, peeling huge pots of potatoes, rolling dozens of meatballs and cookies and became the master mixer of anything being baked!

 Pete was a humble man. He enjoyed striking up a conversation with friends and strangers, always finding something to talk about.

One of his greatest joys was his grandchildren. He loved watching them play sports, be it basketball, baseball, hockey, football, or rodeo. He attended dance recitals, and many music shows and band performances. He was interested in what they were doing and loved engaging in conversation with them. He was always so proud!

Pete lived with COPD and CHF for many years but met these health challenges with strength and courage – never complaining – always making the best of it.

Pete will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great     grandfather, uncle, teammate, and friend whose warmth, humor and dedication to his family and community touched the lives of all who knew him. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those that loved him.  He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Dad, may your soul soar into the arms of our Lord where you will forever sing in God’s Choir of Heavenly Angels.

 Pre-deceased by parents Archie and Elizabeth; Siblings Maurice (Frances) Vandenameele, Bernice (Lawrence) Neumeier, Henry (Johanna) Vandenameele, Oscar Vandenameele, Madeline (Herb) Dressler, Joe Vandenameele and Albert Vandenameele; Brothers-in-law Bob Bot, Don (Terry) Bot, Vic (Elsie) Bot, Ted (Laura) Bot, Joe Bot; Sister-in-law Mae (Larry) Brenner, and nieces and nephews

Pete leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory His Beloved wife Pat; children Max (Dean) Askwith, Delmar (Julie) Vandenameele, Warren ( Rhonda) Vandenameele, Michael Vandenameele, Michele (Allan) Unrath,

Kim (Tom) Vosper, 8 grandchildren, Alex (Tracy) Vandenameele, Paige (Justin    Babichuk) Askwith, Abby (Tristan) Huber, Danny (Morgan Joyes) Vandenameele, Carter (Shaelyn Myers) Vosper, Eric (Morgan Novik) Vosper, Taylor Unrath, Boston Unrath; 6 great grandchildren, Makinley, Sadie and Bo Vandenameele, Wesley Huber, Cruz and Sage Vandenameele, Sister-in-law Millie (Bot) Goetz (Jerry)  and numerous nieces and nephews.