Obituary of Peter Grebinski

Mr. Peter Grebinski of Ituna, beloved husband of Sophie, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2020 at St. Peter's Hospital in Melville. He was 102 years of age. There will be a service at a later date. Peter Grebinski was born May 17, 1917 on the family farm, to be exact the North West Quarter of Section 29 - Township 30 - Range 11 - West of the 2nd, Beckenham, Sask. Like his brothers and sisters before and after him, he attended Winthorpe School, and he didn't have far to walk, since it was almost next door to the farm. So, he could never tell those exaggerated stories that most of us have heard, about walking 5 miles through 2 feet of snow, every day to get to school. That never happened! It was about a quarter mile away. During the summer, he worked with his parents on the farm and for various farmers in the area. In the winter months, in 1948 to 49, Peter would jump the train that would be heading out east. Sometimes he would catch a coal car which proved to be a very dusty ride. He worked in different places in Ontario like Fort William and Kapuskasing. That is just north of Timmins, Ontario. One job he had was cutting wood and placing onto 4' x 4' x 8' pallets. He remembered getting $1.25 for stacking a single cord. Then he realized that Saskatchewan was home, he came back, purchased some land in the Beckenham area and farmed while still a bachelor. In 1952 he met and married the love of his life, Sophie Checkowski and farmed until 1956. They then moved to Regina and he worked at Super Creed making cement blocks, earning $1.25 an hour. Moving back to Ituna in 1961, they built their home that Sophie is still in today. He worked for Walter Mazden Construction as a carpenter and retired at the age of 59 due to issues with his hands after slinging a hammer for many years. The magic that Peter & Walter would create with raw timber was unsurpassed, considering the type of tools they used back then. Well, as can you imagine if they had the sophisticated tools that we have today? They were absolute masters at wood working. During his retirement, Peter built Tsymbalys or better known as the Dulcimer, assembling no less than 120 strings per instrument. He fine tuned them and played them remarkably well. He was also a terrific violinist and won many fiddling competitions. He played with various bands, at weddings and dances and other venues throughout the province for many years. He loved to get together with his brothers-in-law, Nick and Mike, playing their instruments well into the wee hours, at home and numerous functions. He honed his skill at a very early age. His brother Leonard recalls that Pete would go behind the farm house to practice playing the violin so loud the neighbors could hear him at least a mile away. Pete taught Len to play, convincing him to use all four fingers, not just one. Still not many could play as well as Pete. At age 99, we asked how he managed to remain in such good health, his answer was simply "work hard, eat lots of garlic and best of all a Good Wife". Peter passed away following a brief hospitalization at St. Peter's Hospital in Melville on Sunday, March 29th 2020. He was 102 years, 9 months and 12 days of age. Predeceased by his parents, Anton and Katherine (nee Kerunsky) Grebinski; and by brothers Frank, Stanley, Bill, Mike, and John: and by sisters Sophie Butchko, Angela Kolybaba, Victoria Mazden and Mary Bulych. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Sophie of Ituna; a sister, Anne Koback, a brother, Leonard Grebinski; numerous nieces, nephews (whom were very close to Peter and Sophie), and their families, as well as his many other relatives and friends. A service will be planned for a later date. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com Service Details. Interment Location: Ituna R.C. Cemetery Address: 5th Ave. SE ITUNA, SK S0A 2N0