Brian Olinski
Died: February 8, 2008 | Place:
Obituary
OLINSKI, PETER 1948 – 2008: While vacationing in Cuba on Monday, February 4th, 2008 in his 60th year. Beloved husband of Heather, whom he married July 16, 1983. Ever proud father of Tyler, and Gaelen. Loving son of Jerry and Patricia Olinski. Cherished son-in-law of Alma and Bruce Pufall. Lovingly remembered by his siblings: Paul and Carol, Patrick and Cathy, Mary-Kay and John (Chomitz), Michael and Elenoare. Wonderful brother-in-law of Brenda and Alfred, Dan and Bonnie Pufall. Unique uncle of nieces: Robin, Meaghan, Chris, Lisa, Katie, Beth; and nephews: Jon, Andrew, Craig, and Stefan. Great uncle to Elliott and Harrison. There will be no visitation prior to the service. Cremation has taken place.
A celebration of Peter’s life will be held in the chapel of the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Saturday, February 16th at 1:30 p.m. A reception will be held immediately following the service at Victory Legion Branch No. 317, 311 Oakland Avenue, London where memories and stories can be shared. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, 150 -633 Colborne Street, London, ON N6B 2V3 or the Alzheimer Society, Suite 100, 555 Southdale Road East, London, ON N6E 1A2. Online condolences accepted at www.amgeorgefh.on.ca
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Our deepest sympathy to Peter’s family. We will remember him in our prayers.
I extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to Jerry, Pat and the family and extended family. May God grant you strength through love, prayers and memories.
My wife and I are saddened to learn of Peter’s sudden passing.
Back in June 1973,
I was privileged to get to know Peter and meet Heather
during a visit at Paul’s Saskatoon home where they happened to be visiting at the time. Peter was always easy to talk to and was fun to be with. I regret that he was unable to be at Paul’s 50th birthday celebration. It would have been wonderful to see him again.
Peter and I spent many years together as teachers at White Oaks Public School. Family was first and foremost to Peter. My sincere condolences to Heather and her sons. Heather, I have been where you are now, when husbands are taken from us all too soon.
Gerry, Patricia, Patrick and Olinski family members:
We wish to express our deepest sympathies in the passing of Peter.
Peter was a long time member of Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies, Br. 50. I know he is sadly missed by all who knew him.
God Bless the family.
Regards,
Debbie Yawney & Robert Snider
Peter and I spent over a decade together at White Oaks Public School. He and I had countless laughs throughout those years. I offer my most sincere sympathy to Heather and her sons. I know that Peter valued his family above all else and spoke often of his pride and love for his sons, Tyler and Gaelen.
Patrick,
Very sorry to read about your brother’s passing.
And so sad to have happened while vacationing!
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family,
Sincerely,
Barb and Jon Conrad
I was so sorry to hear of Peter’s passing. I was an occasional teacher at White Oaks when he taught there and remember him as a true gentle man, kind to students and well thought of by everyone. My sympathies go to his family.
My heart sank when Mr. Olinski’s passing came up at our family dinner yesterday. My sisters and I laughed as we recalled ‘Mr. O’ with his green beard & brows every St. Patrick’s Day at Arthur Stringer – what a great teacher we were all blessed to have! I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
On behalf of everyone at St. Mary’s High School in Kitchener, we wish to extend our thoughts and our prayers to Elenoare and her family during this very difficult time. May you feel God’s Grace in the coming days in knowing that your loved one has been called home.
I met Peter when he began his teaching career and worked with my mother, Helen, and over the years he affectionately shared his memories of her. Life+óGé¼Gäós connections strengthened with Bryce and Gaelen+óGé¼Gäós friendship and through this friendship Peter demonstrated his great support for all +óGé¼+ôthe Dudes+óGé¼-¥, their musical ambitions and dreams. We are grateful for all that he gave and will cherish the lasting memories he has, too soon, left us with. Our family extends its deepest sympathy to Heather, Tyler and Gaelen.
Greetings and Condolences from Edmonton.
It is with great sadness that I send this message to Heather, Aunt Pat, all of my cousins and their spouses.
I was so sorry to hear of the news of Peter+óGé¼Gäós passing while on vacation with his wife. Know that he is in my thoughts, and I pray for all of you as you deal with his passing.
May Divine peace be with each of you.
Nam Esta +óGé¼GÇ£ May the Divine Light in me touch the Divine Light in you.
With love to all
Rosemary Karges
Peter was a wonderful help to staff and students at the Dundas Centre. His presence will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his memory live on.
Sharon, Brenda, and Mary
Heather, Tyler and Gaelen,
We wish to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Heather, please know that if there is anything that we can do for you, just ask!
Skip, Mari, Stacey, Eric, Marlo and Minnie
Dear Heather, Tyler and Gaelen,
Just wanted you to know we are thinking of you and wishing you peace and solace.
Ken, Kelly, David, Andrew and Matthew Kleinhans
With our deepest sympathy. We will all greatly miss Peter. May God bless you at this time and keep you in his hands.
Tom, Linda, Andrea, Wendy, Dustin, Chris, Mikhaela, Chloe Moore Sean and Tony Moyles and Jamie Herd.
Dear Gaelen,
I was very sorry to read of your father’s recent passing and wanted you to know that I am thinking of you. Please pass on my condolences to your family as well. My thoughts are with all of you at this time of great loss.
Joanna Roth
To Jerry & Pat Olinski and Paul,
I was very saddened to hear of your very personal loss in the passing of Peter. This is a difficult time for you in the grieving process and my thoughts and prayers of comfort will be with you. David Stewart
Heather, Tyler, Gaelen and Olinski family:
I was very shocked and saddened to learn of Peter’s recent passing. As some of you may know Peter and I were old university buddies and had more than a passing aquaintance with most of the local watering holes…. suffice it to say that I have many fond memories of our old U of Waterloo days!
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to all, particularly to Heather and the boys both of whom were young enough when I last saw them that they likely don’t remember me. My wife Valerie and I live in Wellington, Ont Prince Edward county and given distance and weather considerations will be unlikely to attend the memorial service for Peter but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My heartfelt condolences go out to your family. I was saddened to hear of Pete’s sudden passing. I first met Peter at Five Oaks camp during a training session for Kitchener Parks and Recreation councillors. I was impressed with his love of life and his dedication to the improvement of the lives of others, particularly the mentally challenged. Peter inspired me to work with these children and adults through the summer playground system and adult Friday Night Clubs at Victoria Park. He even came into my class at Eastwood Collegiate to help my classmates gain a better understanding of these special needs children. I haven’t seen Peter in over thirty years but I must say he had a great influence on how I looked at the mentally challenged people and how I learned to see their hearts rather than their disabilities. As a retired teacher, I enjoy and feel comfortable going into these special classes to supply. I never would have been able to do so if it had not been for knowing Peter. He was a special, caring person who will be missed.
Sincerely, Pat Hall
Our condolences, Rev.Terry will say a Mass for your intentions.
Our deepest sympathy.
David, Tanya, Morgan and Emma Halliwell
To the Olinski Family,
As a friend and as a teaching associate of Peter (aka P.O.), I am especially saddened to hear of his passing.
This is difficult to comprehend given how dynamic a person I remember Peter to have been.
In this respect, I remember Peter to have played an essential part in making our teaching experience always enjoyable during his years at Arthur Stringer P.S. The daily challenges and difficulties involved with teaching were always offset every day with Peter’s sense of humour. Peter played an important and much needed role in bringing the staff together and adding the element of fun to our job and to his career. There wasn’t a day, despite the stress that goes with the territory, that we didn’t share more than enough laughter to enjoy our experience there. Peter’s love of life and people went beyond the classroom as our group looked forward to spending time together and this is where Peter again really would be at the top of his game and his creativity. This was a period in my life that because of Peter, I can look back on with tremendous satisfaction.
Getting together at the Ceeps for homecoming. many years after I left London and the teaching field, was always a priority with Peter. It was as though nothing had changed and no time had been lost. Clearly, Peter built bonds with people that will last a lifetime.
The saying that a person is never gone unless forgotten is particularly true here. The friendships that were central to Peter’s character, will always be there and in getting together the memory of those times shared will keep him part of that experience, part of our special group and the enjoyable memories that we share.
Most sincerely, Cathie and Stan Mantrop
Dear Heather,Tyler and Gaelen
We are so sorry to hear of Peter’s passing and extend our most deepest sympathies.
Sincerely,
Jan,Rob,Derek and Philip
I met Peter and Heather sometime in the summer of 1976. I had just returned from Saltspring Island B.C. and was quite reluctant about returning to sedate old London.It was so great to meet these two free spirits and that made the move easier. We had many good times together.
Heather, Tyler, & Gaelen
Please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of Peter.
For many years Peter was our +óGé¼-£dart team+óGé¼Gäó captain. He would always keep us guessing with each shot and each unwavering decision. His heart was always in the right place as he tried to please us all.
I will always cherish his +óGé¼-£classic+óGé¼Gäó scores and the approach +óGé¼-£we+óGé¼-£ll beat them on the Math+óGé¼Gäó.
You made our lives richer knowing you, Peter.
Our thoughts and hearts go out to Heather and family. We have only known Peter for a few years and enjoyed doing mulch every spring to make your beautiful gardens look so nice and look forward to planting a tree or flower that Peter enjoyed in memory of him. Heather if there is anything you need Shawn and I will be there for you. I am so sorry that this had to happen to such a nice person. Love Shawn and Michelle
Heather and boys, may you take comfort in the knowledge that Peter touched so many through his choice of career and his sense of humour. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this most difficult of times. Barb and Mike Lee and family.
Heather,
In speaking with Brenda recently, I was shocked to hear of Peter’s passing. Although I have not seen Peter for a number of years, I remember Brenda and I staying at your apartment when you first moved to London and several visits that you and Peter took to Toronto. I remember his sparkling eyes and infectious laugh – his harmonica playing and his friend ‘Jack Daniels’.
His spirit and zest for life is surely part of the Olinski family and will continue to fill your hearts and your home.
With deepest sympathy …
Gabriele and Elizabeth
We are thinking of you and your family at this difficult time. We send you much love and sympathy.
We are so sorry to hear about your loss, Peter was a good man. Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do.
I was saddened to hear about the death of Peter. I worked with Peter
at White Oaks as his side kick in the Learning Resource area and also as Vice-Principal. He was such a kind, considerate and compassionate person. Although generally a quiet guy, he always had time for a laugh or time to chat on the current state of affairs at White Oaks.
Please accept my sincere sympathy. Cherish the memories!
Sincerely
Susan Fenney
Dear Heather..Please accept my most sincere sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless..Terri (Dr. Haruta’s office)
I am sending you my condolences on the passing of a truly wonderful individual, Mr. Olinski. He was the best teacher I ever had. He taught me grade 5 all the way back in 1980-81. When I reflect on my years of schooling, he is the one I remember as being the absolute greatest of teachers. He had a way of teaching, making you want to learn more, and challenging you to do better. After grade 5, I compared every other teacher to Mr. Olinski and not one ever had the impact on me as he did.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I hope you find comfort in knowing that he was loved by many.