With profound sadness the family of Peter (“Peppy”) Dika announce his peaceful passing on May 8, 2017 at the age of 87. Religion was very important to him all through his life, starting as an altar boy at St. Peter’s which led him to attend Benedictine High School in Cleveland Ohio. On a sports scholarship he excelled in basketball and football. After returning home he continued pursuing his love of sports, playing, coaching and refereeing for many years.
A versatile and talented athlete he also enjoyed baseball, raquetball, tennis, bowling and in later years golf. Some of the teams he was involved with were the ’48 Bengals junior basketball team which he played for and organized. Then he continued on to the senior team of the East Enders. Being a speedy standout guard he got the nickname “Peppy”. Also notable teams included the Fort Williams “Ukes” and Roughrider football teams and the East Enders baseball team to name a few. He won too many awards and titles to list, but most notable are the George Rowe Memorial Award in 1992 as a Builder of Youth in the community, being inducted into the Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame as an all around athlete in 1995, and being honoured on the Lakehead University Wall of Fame as a builder in 2000.
Also being a proud East Ender he was a long-time active member of the Royal Canadian Slovak Legion Br. #129. On his retirement he spent many hours at the Slovak playing cards and rolling meatballs there with his good friends Tony and John (“Chubby”) Delaqua, Tom Tait, Bill Adduono and Moe Luby.
Dad was a hard-working family man, working many jobs over the years. In the early years, he worked as a milkman, postman, bowling alley manager, bartender, to name a few. His career started at St. Patrick’s High School where he was a beloved teacher and coach, leading the Saints to two junior basketball city titles. In 1968 he was hired by Lakehead University as Equipment Manager in the CJ Sanders Fieldhouse. When the pool was opened in 1972 he became the first Aquatics Facilities Manager and continued until his retirement in 1995. He helped coach both men’s and women’s varsity basketball teams for a few years. After that Peter became the Lakehead University’s sports historian compiling individual and team statistics for all the varsity teams. He also worked at the Avila Centre as a maintenance man and was loved by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Dad took many trips throughout the US, bowling with his buddies in the annual American Bowling Congress Ten-Pin Bowling with his darn camcorder recording every minute. He also enjoyed many hours on the lake fishing with his good buddy Peter Zack.
Many family get togethers were enjoyed with the Sklazeski clan with large meals, lots of dancing, laughter, and music. Peter Zack would entertain us on the accordion.
Dad was a proud, supportive and loving father and grandfather. He looked forward to attending all of our activities and milestones, attending countless concerts and sporting activities. He always had a smile on his face and was always happy to lend a helping hand to family and friends.
Peter is survived by his children Donna Cizmar (Fred Copp), Lawrence (Candy), Lorraine Gurney (Peter), Kristine Dika and grandchildren Laura Dika (fiancee Evan Holmes), Darren Cizmar, Melissa and Krista Gurney, many nieces and nephews. He also had very close relationship with his niece Vivi-enne Pusiak of Port Colbourne.
Peter was predeceased by his wife Patricia (Sklazeski), grandson Trevor Koval and son-in-law Gerry Cizmar.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2017, when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass at 11:00 am in St. Peter's Church celebrated by Rev. Joseph Arockiam. Interment will follow later privately for the family in St. Patrick's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame, St. Joseph’s Foundation or charity of your choice.
