Peter Walter Smyrichinsky

Obituary

Peter Walter Smyrichinsky
August 18, 1942 - January 11, 2019

Pete was of Greenville, Indiana, and born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to Anthony and Nastia Smyrichinsky on August 18, 1942.
He died on January 11, 2019 at Baptist Health Floyd in New Albany, Indiana. He was 76 years, four months, and twenty-four days of age.

Three children were born to the marriage (October 22, 1960) of he and Susiana Cherewayko Smyrichinsky. Those families include the following: Sheri Lee Dianna (fiance Robert Hudgins) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida & Charlotte, North Carolina, Peter Tod Anthony George (wife Julie Givens Smyrichinsky) of Greensburg, Kentucky & Huntington, West Virginia, and Alan Derrick (wife Cindy Smyrichinsky) of Georgetown, Indiana.

As a child, Pete enjoyed violin, baseball, hockey and track and field competitions. He was considered to be a youth prodigy on the violin. As the story goes, he once won five events in one day at a track and field meet. He played hockey in his late teens for the Monarchs in Winnipeg, Canada. He was of the Ukrainian Catholic faith.

As an older brother to Russell Smyrichinsky (wife Linda and niece Lisa of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), the two enjoyed visits throughout Pete's lifetime and often discussed, sometimes enthusiastically, sports, politics, and family.

In the 1960s he attended Teacher's College and attended University of North Dakota Grand Forks, School of Engineering. He served as a Resident Engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and later accepted a position with JR Hahn and Hahn Systems where he retired in the late 1990's.

His hobbies included collector muscle cars. He and close friend, Ed Pfifer participated in The Great Race several times, competing with a 1916 Mitchel ant 1937 LaSalle. Some of his favorite cars were Plymouth GTX and GTO convertibles. He also once won at the Carl Casper Car Show with a restored GTO convertible.

Pete enjoyed coaching youth sports including football and baseball. He won two leagues and one tournament with his teams in the Georgetown Youth Football League and a championship with J'town YFL. He was an avid collector of guns and knives. One could often find him in the garage on a warm afternoon with a smoke and a beer while surrounded by cars, parts, and a good friend.

Pete very much enjoyed the University of Louisville football program and lived as an avid fan of the Colts and Vikings football franchises.

Pete leaves behind a legacy of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as a host of family and friends.

Sheri's children and grandchildren, Pete's grandchildren: Garrett Jamison Jones, Xander Cody Stewart, Lexy Shea Stewart and Pete's great grandchildren: Porsche Blake Jones & Gage Jamison Jones.

Tod's children, Pete's
grandchildren: Stashia, Logan, Maverick, Allie, Shelby and Emma.

Alan's daughter, Pete's granddaughter, Ariel.

Brothers and sisters-in-law: Sylvia and Allan Merrithew of Warren, Manitoba, Canada; Lily & the late Freeman Fjelsted and Gary & Nancy Cherewayko all of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; the late Bill & Jeanette Cherewayko of Bassino, Alberta, Canada; the late Emil & Ruth Cherewayko of Emerson, Manitoba, Canada; and Debbie & Mike Girard of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.

The family asks that expressions of sympathy be made to your local Parkinson's research or benefit group in Pete's memory.

The Celebration of Life gathering will be on Friday, April 19, 2019, at The Calumet Club in New Albany, Indiana from 4:30-7:30 pm, et. All are welcome.

Location of event:
http://thecalumetclub.com/