PETER SZABO SR., beloved husband of the late Maria Szabo, of Lethbridge, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital, on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the age of 90 years.

Peter Szabo Sr., beloved husband of the late Maria (Hanusi) Szabo of Lethbridge, passed away after a short but courageous battle with kidney cancer on August 27, 2016 at the age of 90 years. He was the loving father to son Peter Jr. (Christina) and a very proud grandfather of Madeline, Gabriella, Elizabeth and John. Peter is also survived by one sister in Hungary, Magdalene (Szabo) Horvath and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Hungary and Canada.

Peter was born on May 16, 1926 in Babot Gyor-Sopron Megye, Hungary, the second child of Peter and Maria (Szakal) Szabo along with siblings Anna, Mary, Michael and Magdalene. He grew up on the family farm and learned to love the land. In 1956 during the Hungarian Revolution, Peter immigrated to Canada and he lived on the Steve and Helen Balog ranch neat Milk River where he worked with registered bulls and helped in the growing of the crops. Peter's father and Helen's father were brothers and he was so glad to be part of such a wonderful extended family. He returned to Hungary only once during his life in Canada.

In 1967 Peter married Maria Hanusi. They remained in Milk River with the Balog family for a year until they bought some farmland in the Sunnyside area. They raised their son on the land that they loved and appreciated so much. They grew sugar beets, wheat, oats and had some cattle and chickens. They believed in hard work and hoed the beets and did most everything by hand. It was wonderful for them to have family in Milk River and the Sera family on Maria's side of the family living so close to them on the farm. Peter and Maria also lived with Maria's parents until they passed away and they remained on the farm until 2006 when they moved to Lethbridge. Peter truly missed all of his friends and neighbors and liked to visit and say hello whenever he could, especially when he was in Wal-mart or McDonalds.

Peter was raised as a Roman Catholic and each Sunday the family would sit in their pew in the back row at St. Basil's. Peter loved to greet people as they came in and he served as an usher for many years. He was proud when all four of his grandchildren became altar servers serving together on Sundays. It seems as if something is missing now that he isn't there anymore.

Peter's greatest joy came with his grandchildren. Whether it was watching Madeline, Gabriella and Elizabeth dance or cheering John on in one of his hockey games, Papa was so often there. He loved playing with the kids and taught them the value of the simple things in life like going to the playground, smelling the flowers or throwing around a ball. He loved coming to our house and celebrating all of the family milestones with us. Sometimes the language barrier was difficult, but our children never doubted the love he had for them.

Our family would like to thank all of the wonderful doctors and nurses from 4B that helped to look after Peter in his last days, especially Nurse Jackie and Dr. Ireland. We would also like to thank Dr. Ghose and Nurse Barb from the cancer clinic who did so much for him when he needed it the most. Your compassion and caring mean the world to us. We would like to thank our family members and friends who have been so supportive to us over this difficult time. Each gesture big and small is so greatly appreciated. The outpouring of love that we have received cannot be expressed in words. Finally, we would like to thank Travis Zentner and staff at Cornerstone for all of their amazing acts of kindness and compassion during this time and always.

A Prayer Service will be held at ST. BASIL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 604 - 13 Street North, Lethbridge, AB., on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at 7:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. BASIL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.

Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.