Volunteer, humanitarian Peter Zakreski dies at 80

A long-time contributor to public life in Saskatoon has died.

Former city councillor and sports organizer Peter Zakreski passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 80, according to family.

Born in Alvena, Zakreski attended elementary school in the small farming community before moving to Saskatoon for his high school years.

He attended the University of Saskatchewan, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree and joined Federated Co-operatives in 1960 where he worked for almost five decades.

Zakreski made his mark on Saskatoon as a volunteer, politician and humanitarian.

He served on city council from 1974 to 1979, and ran for mayor in 2003 against Don Atchison.

His other accolades include  the Order of Canada, Citizen of the Year, and twice he received the University of Saskatchewan’s Alumni Humanitarian Award.

Fr. Stefano Penna was a long-time friend of Zakreski.

“It’s very sad news. It’s like… losing a mountain that gave you a sense of direction,” he said.

The leader of St. Paul’s Co-Cathedral said Zakreski’s generous nature will be missed by many.

“Generosity is the mark of his life,” Penna said. “The last words he was whispering as he was dying were ones of gratitude, thankfulness.”

Zakreski also helped put Saskatoon on the map for its ability to stage sports competitions. He was part of the organizing committees for the 1979 Western Canada Summer Games, the 1989 Canada Summer Games, the 1991 World Junior Hockey Championships and the 2002 World’s Women’s Softball finals.

In 2005 he was inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame.

Most recently, Peter and wife Elaine have dedicated themselves to their foundation, Hope For Malawi, which has provided shelter, education and clean water to more than 50 villages in that African nation. Their efforts earned them recognition as Saskatoon’s humanitarians of the year in 2018.

Penna noted Zakreski was always actively involved in the community, improving lives and putting Saskatoon on the map. He said the family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of memories in recent days as news of Zakreski’s final days spread.

“People were coming up to them during this whole process of Peter’s dying and saying ‘your dad did this for me, your dad was there to encourage me, your dad saw things in me that I didn’t even think I could do,'” Penna relayed.

“That’s who Peter was.”

The Catholic priest added he would forever cherish the memory of his first meeting with Zakreski, nearly 40 years ago. Penna was preparing for his sermon when Zakreski approached.

“He said ‘look it, if you preach for under eight minutes, I’ll give you a $20 bill,'” Penna recalled with a laugh. “I never did get the $20 bill.”

“And when I lead the celebrations worshipping God for the gift of Peter I won’t then either.”

—With files from 650 CKOM’s Chris Vandenbreekel.