Obituary of Peter Gaida

Peter Gaida passed into eternity on April 13, 2018, surrounded by and cared for at home by his loving family. Peter lived a remarkable, self-reliant, simple life with Julia, his loving wife of 62 years, by whom he is survived. All who knew him will miss his strength, practical wisdom, wit, and peerless tenor voice. Peter was born in 1925, in the village of Barysh, outside of Ternopil, Ukraine. Following World War II, on March 13, 1947, Peter arrived in New Orleans aboard the General AD Sturgis. He and his fellow displaced persons arrived with just the shirts on their backs, putting their hands out only for tools. As a DP immigrant to the United States, he was sponsored by Chicago's Saint Bede College, and worked there from 1948-1951, when he proved to be a good and trustworthy workman. He then relocated to Akron, Ohio, where he worked as a wood refinisher, carpenter, and workman for City Laundry & Dry Cleaning. Not wanting to retire, he completed his working career with the Crookston family at CC Supply. Peter sang in the choir at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, where he was a good and faithful member since 1951. It was his dear friend and fellow parishioner Anna Gmerek (Goshko), who convinced him to travel to Ukraine with her in 1993, for his first and only trip home. Peter was preceded in death by his parents Gregory and Maria, his sister Anna, and baby brother Steve. Peter will be missed by his two daughters and caregivers Julianna (Lawrence) Crookston and Maryann Conway RN (dad's personal nurse), as well as his grandchildren Elizabeth Conway, Julie (Yevhen) Gulenko, and Lawrence and Thomas Peter Crookston, whom he adored. "Uncle Pete" was a huge resource and support to his nephews and nieces Deacon Eugene (Mary Ann) Senderak, Francis Senderak (deceased), John (Janice) Senderak, Martha Dantz (Tim), Joseph Senderak, and James (Julie) Senderak. Peter also leaves behind sister in law Sr. Mary Geraldine, SDR, very dear friend and former choir director Tim Baker, Pete and Nadia Davidenko and sons. The family will receive friends Sunday 3 to 6 pm at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. Akron OH 44301, where a Parastas service will be held Sunday at 5:30pm. Funeral services will begin Monday 10:30 am at the funeral home and continue with a Divine Liturgy at 11:00am at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church 1850 Brown St. Akron OH 44301. Interment at St. Nicholas Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to BVM Sodality c/o of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church. (Anthony, AKRON, 330-724-1281, anthonyfh.com)