Peter Stasiuk

Peter Stasiuk, 79, of Duluth MN, passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday June 28, 2018.  He was born July 31, 1938 in Lethbridge Alberta to his Ukrainian immigrant parents Joseph and Julia Stasiuk.  He graduated from the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute while also working for the CPX railroad.

He played junior hockey in Canada, during which time he was recruited to play collegiate hockey for the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux. He had a great love for his alma mater and was grateful for his amazing hockey experience there, especially helping his team win an NCAA National Championship in his senior year, 1963. In December of 1963 he married the love of his life, Bonnie Swedberg of Fargo ND. Peter and Bonnie have remained avid North Dakota hockey fans ever since.

His life career was in teaching and coaching.  His first job was teaching physical education and coaching soccer at Gordon Bell High School in Winnipeg Manitoba.  He also taught physical education and coached basketball in Minong, WI.   In 1967 he was hired by the Hermantown School District to teach middle school science and coach the fledgling Hermantown Hawks hockey team.  His first team consisted of only 7 players.  In the 19 years he coached the Hawks, without a rink of their own, he developed the program into respectable contenders.  He retired from teaching in 1998.

Peter and Bonnie spent the last 18 winters in Mesa AZ, where he enjoyed playing golf, croquet, and tennis. He had a wicked backhand slice his opponents will remember him for. He also spent hours every day making beautiful creations in the woodshop.

To Peter, a kid at heart, life was all about having fun.  Whether it be teaching, coaching, playing sports, or playing with his children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, he had an infectious zest for life and shared his enthusiasm with those around him.  He was an avid gardener and took joy from making and sharing wine, pies, jelly, jam, and juice from the bounty of his beautiful gardens, vines and trees. He also had a keen interest in all things around him, especially science, nature, and people, which allowed him to make lifelong friends easily.

Peter was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife of 54 years; children Julie (Larry) Edwards of Sanford MI, Pam (Troy) Brattelid of Granville ND, Deb (Chuck) LeRoux of Stillwater MN, and Pete Stasiuk of Duluth; grandchildren Cory Brattelid, Mariah and Sean LeRoux; Elizabeth and Bryan Edwards; brother Victor Stasiuk of Lethbridge Alberta; sisters Anne Ogston of Langley, British Columbia and Rose Lambie of Lethbridge Alberta; in-laws Robert (Lise) Swedberg of Denair CA, and Karen Yost of Mesa AZ; step-grandchildren Tonya (Chris) Stueven and children Kaden and Adley, Kristi Brattelid and children Yusuf and Serine, Travis Brattelid, and Brittany (Steve) Ybarra; and many nieces and nephews.   Though we will sorely miss him, we are comforted that he had the love of Jesus in his heart and that we will see him again in heaven.

Visitation Sunday, July 8 from 5-7 PM at Dougherty Funeral Home 600 E. 2nd St in Duluth.  Service Monday, July 9 at 11:00 AM at United Protestant Church,  830 88th Ave West, Duluth, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM. Memorials preferred to Duluth Heritage Sports Center Foundation or United Protestant Church, where Peter was a member.