Monday, April 18, 2011
Whether you know him by Pete, Peter, Comrade, Uncle Pete, Grandpa or Dad we are gathered today to remember a man who lived life to the fullest. On behalf of the family, thank you for attending today to commemorate Peter's life, a life of extended love, of commitment to others and a time of passionate experiences.
There was seldom a day that Peter didn't help someone either in a physical way or in a way that made use of his insightful knowledge. Peter began his life in Canada born to Julia and Peter Pinter Sr. His parents were of Hungarian descent, but official records show they immigrated from pre-WWII Romania in 1935. According to lore, the Pinter's established 1 of the first tobacco farms in Aldborough Township just outside West Lorne in 1936 or 37. Peter's life as a young lad, along with his older brother Alex, involved lots of work as was the case for many immigrant families starting out in the agricultural industry. One of Peter's advantages to being a rural farmhand was he obtained his drivers' license at the age of 14. As we can only imagine how tough tobacco farming would be without all of today's automation, the Pinter family sold the farm and moved into town around 1955.
In 1959, as Peter started his own family one of his early jobs was working at Pearce's garage as a mechanic. We can safely assume that it was here that Peter fed his passion for working on cars and small engines. One of the early family vehicles during this time was a white 1962 Chevy Impala 327 cubic-inch aspirated with 2-4 barrel carburetors. This Impala has been rumored as being capable of lifting the front tires off the ground, not a typical family hauler.
As Peter's family grew, he took on a job of delivering bread for Toastmaster bread company to folks in and around the GWA (greater West Lorne area). Ultimately, the bread delivery job wasn't meant to be for Peter, as when Friday came and it was time to collect the money for the bread Peter would accept nearly every excuse from his customers for being unable to make payment. Peter, being the soft-heart most of us all know well, was reluctant to demand the money or stop delivery and since the bread company was making minimal (if any) profit off of Peter's route he was asked/opted to seek employment elsewhere.
In 1965, Peter found employment at Timken bearing in St Thomas. This job lasted a few years during which time Peter ordered a new family vehicle a 1967 Chevy Nova SS 2-door coupe with a 350 cubic inch - 300 horsepower engine. When this vehicle arrived at the dealership, Peter had to walk away as he wanted bench-style eating and an automatic and the vehcile that had been delivered had bucket-style seating with a 4 on the floor.
In fall 1967 the new Ford Motor Company assembly plant in Talbotville was ready for employees and Peter being a strapping young lad of 29 years old jumped on the opportunity and was 1 of the 1st employees hired to work at the plant - employee #379 in fact. In late fall of 1968, Peter acquired a more practically suited family vehicle, his now infamous 1969 Chevy Nova SS 2-door with a 396 cubic inch - 375 horsepower engine with bench seating. The 1st week of ownership resulted in an unmanned tricycle causing a 12-inch scratch alongside the passenger door, and 4 kids in unison vehemently stating "It wasn't me". Peter's reaction was somewhat surprising to the family as he took this as an opportunity to take the car to his buddies at Johnson's Canadian Collision to have the scratch buffed out. Several months later (summer of '69) Peter and family settled into home at 143 Main Street.
After nearly 27 prosperous years at the Ford plant Peter accepted a package for early retirement in March 1993. It was during these years that Peter's passion for family, friends, community, cars and racing continued in the forefront. The entire family rallied while preparing and detailing the car for Sunday races at Sparta Dragway nearly every week. Peter and crew shared many cherished memories while dressed in their matching t-shirts at the races.
Peter occupied much of his free time "tinkering" with a multitude of interests. These interests included everything from working on cars with and for friends and family, repairing small-engines, building go-karts and mini-bikes as well as accumulating a fairly large assortment of chainsaws and lawn tractors and a few other baubles and thing-a-ma-jigs. Ultimately, in 1991 Peter had a vision and cobbled his most renowned flash of brilliance, "The Pinters' Mill". With the portable mill as a semi-retirement business, Peter and Mary Jane would establish a franchise that enabled them make many new acquaintances who would become repeat customers and new found dear friends.
Aside from Peter's knack for conquering mechanical challenges, he also accomplished an impressive list of contributions towards a variety of community activities. Some of these accomplishments were coaching minor sports like youth hockey and baseball and playing, coaching and managing adult slow pitch. Peter eagerly volunteered for several local organizations and projects. As member of a couple of local service clubs (an early member of the Optimist club and later the Legion) Peter found enjoyment in contributing to projects such as expanding the arena dressing rooms, clearing bush for soccer fields and a trail system at the community complex, preparations for the mini-tractor show/pull and building the dugouts at the ball diamond. Peter accomplished much more than can be remembered and mentioned in a reasonable amount of time.
But more than any of this list of items, Peter was able to build an immeasurable wealth of family, friends, customers and acquaintances over the 26,603 days (or 72 years and 10 months) that he was able to share with us.
Peter would be proud to know that all of us will deeply miss his distinct laugh and tears of laughter. His beaming, gap-toothed smile. His strength, tenderness and compassion. His ingenuity, knowledge and skill. His understanding, resourcefulness and creativity.
Thank you all for coming today and may the memories and accomplishments of Peter create an everlasting smile in your heart.
Luncheon at the Legion in the hall, lounge and patio, please come and share your friendship.
God bless us all.
