Volunteer, humanitarian Peter Zakreski dies at 80

A long-time contributor to public life in Saskatoon has died, as reported by CKOM News.

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.”

Article orginally published on https://www.ckom.com/.