Peter J. Pikul
Peter J. Pikul of Guilford passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, April 4, 2012. He was 75.
Pete and his family came to Guilford in 1973 after buying the farm on Winsor Corners. Pete was born in the Village of Florida in February of 1937, the son of Frank and Honorata Sadka Pikul.
He was a good man who asked little out of life and had simple wants - rye bread, beet horseradish and the newspapers that Joyce Knapp, who loved him dearly, brought to him every day so he could see what was going on.
He was an excellent father and foster father, he and his wife Elaine having chosen to be foster parents to children in both Orange and Chenango counties. Following the onset of Petes heart condition at the age of 62, his son Matthew purchased the farm and has kept it running.
Pete enjoyed keeping up with what was going on at the farm, riding on his gator along with Eddie, the farm dog. He spent many days on the farm despite the fact that he had a difficult time walking.
The day he passed away, he rode down the hill on the gator one last time to go to the farm and have lunch with his son.
Pete was very proud of his grandchildren, who called him Poppy and loved him dearly. He will be missed by his loved ones, as well as Eddie the farm dog and his newest buddy, Newman the puppy, who was adopted at home.
Although Pete has left us here on earth with our heavy hearts, it gives us peace to know that he will be in heaven with his loved ones who have gone on before him.
Pete is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elaine OBrien Pikul, and his children and their spouses: Lisa and Jeffery Palmatier, Penny and Kenneth Knowles, Matthew Pikul and his significant other, Mary Green, Wendy and Timothy Murray, and Brian and Tracy Pikul, all of Guilford. He also leaves 10 grandchildren: Lyndsay and Branden Palmatier, Erica, Sarah and Emily Knowles, Lucas, Joseph and Montana Pikul, Mallory Pikul and Fiona Murray.
Also surviving are his brothers: John Pikul, Frank Pikul and wife Gloria, and Martin Pikul; his sisters and their husbands: Catherine and Larry Mead, Claire and Herb Simmons, Lucy and Richard Toper, and Teresa and Eelco Visser; many nieces and nephews; his sister-in-law, Wanda Pikul; and many special friends.
Pete was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Anna, and his brother, Stephen L. Pikul.
Funeral services were handled by the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home (www.fahyfuneralhome.com) in upstate Norwich.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Guilford Fire Department or Guilford Emergency Squad, Guilford, NY 13780.