It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Louis (Lou) Petryshyn, but also with peace and joy as we know he is reunited with his sweetheart Ruth. He passed away peacefully, on the morning of July 29, 2025 in Gilbert, Arizona.
Lou was born on August 1, 1933 in North Battleford Saskatchewan, Canada.
He grew up in a community among Ukrainian, Slovak and Polish people. When he started school, he could speak 3 or 4 languages, but not English. He was proud of his heritage. When Lou was 8 years old, his family moved to Windsor, Ontario to find work in the factory.
He got his first job delivering milk by horse and wagon. After a while he started delivering ice, then selling newspapers, and as an usher at a theatre. Finally, he got the factory job.
When Lou was 21, he met his sweetheart, Ruth, at a dance. They were married on July 7, 1956 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. When he was first married, he spent time working in hotels and night clubs, mainly for tips. Then it was on to New York Central Railroad as a brakeman. In 1963, the family moved to Whitby, Ontario where he began working at General Motors in Oshawa. He was with them for 32 years.
He loved spending time with family and friends and their backyard was often the scene of barbeques, tractor rides, 3 holes of golf, and go-cart rides. He loved being out in the yard and was meticulous about his flowers which were always the envy of the neighborhood. He loved horse racing and going to the track. For a time, he was the proud owner of several race horses.
He was kind to everyone. Family, friends, neighbors, even strangers. It didn’t matter to him. He leaves a legacy of love, hard work, dedication, and commitment to family. He was a man of strong convictions. He was so happy to have decided to be baptized earlier this year a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then to be sealed to his wife and children for time and all eternity in the Gilbert Arizona Temple on June 27, 2025.
Lou and Ruth welcomed 3 children to their family. Since then, their posterity has grown to also include 24 grandchildren, and 40 great grandchildren with two more arriving soon. He is survived by his daughter Louise Evenson (Ray), son Fred (Rosemary), daughter Lee-Ann Luke (David), grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister Sylvia.
Memorial Service: August 30, 2025 at 5pm. 5656 South Higley Road, Gilbert, Arizona.
Funeral Details
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Visitation
Thornton Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centres
1200 Thornton Road, North Oshawa, ON, CANADA, L1J 0C9
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Tuesday, 12 Aug 2025 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Info: Enter Through Dryden Blvd Gates.
Funeral
Thornton Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Centres
1200 Thornton Road, North Oshawa, ON, CANADA, L1J 0C9
Get Directions
Tuesday, 12 Aug 2025 12:00 PM
Info: Burial to follow at Thornton Cemetery ** This service will be livestreamed ** the livestream will be available on this memorial page 15 minutes prior to the time of the service. There will be a link at the top of this memorial page for guests to click on to view the livestream. If you are on the webpage prior to 11:45 am, you will need to refresh your browser after that time for the link to appear.