Peter Tadeushuk, 89,  lifelong Yonkers resident, passed away on August 2, 2012. 

Beloved husband of the late Mary (nee Jackman) Tadeushuk.  Loving father of  Patrick and his wife Daveda Tadeushuk.  Also survived by his brother Paul Tadeushuk, his niece  Frances Cowan and their families.

Calling hours will be at Flynn Memorial Home, on South Broadway, on Sunday from 4 pm to 8 pm.  Interment will take place Monday morning at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Yonkers, NY.

A Word About My Father, by Peter Tadeushuk

Dad was blessed with a unique talent in cartoon and folk art, illustration, and woodcraft, and his work reflects his love of these media and the satisfaction he obtained from making other people happy. 

From cheerful Christmas art that graced mirrors and windows in bars and restaurants across southern Westchester to the dozens of magnificent dollhouses he built, countless original cartoons he drew, his paintings, numerous hand-crafted wood items, and even the real house – the Amagansett bungalow he and his brother Paul built together – Dad delighted many with his creative work.

Dad loved fishing.  My father spent untold hours freezing on the decks of party boats, sitting at the end of the long, narrow Hangar Dock that reaches into the pretty water of Fort Pond Bay, and working the pristine beaches from Montauk to Amagansett, all in pursuit of that elusive creature, the fish.

The fish were not elusive enough, though, and I couldn’t count the number of times Dad came home with a burlap bag filled with fish and ice, dumping the contents into the bath tub.  I never really did catch my mother’s response to this, but friends and neighbors were often waiting anxiously for some of the fresh catch, and Dad was always happy to share the wealth. 

My father’s greatest love was Mary, his wife, my wonderful mother, gone now these many years, but not forgotten for one day by either of us.  It was a terrible turn for Dad when he lost Mom at such a young age.  He never remarried, nor even considered it.  But, life moves on.  Dad always considered himself lucky for the years he had with Mom.

Dad loved his family on both his and my mom’s side, and time spent in more recent years with his young great-nephews, John, Andrew and Jason, were undoubtedly some of his most cherished moments.

Dad loved his birds, Sam and Sam’s dad, Rufus.  He loved all animals.  He loved nature. 

He loved me.  And as my own life progressed I became more and more aware of my good fortune in being born into the family I was born into.  My childhood was one of security, peace, and love – commodities I know are all too rare in the world today.  Through my adult years, Dad and I shared trust, loyalty, and love.  Any small disagreements we may have had always remained small, unimportant.

Following a pretty difficult couple of months, Dad departed this life peacefully, with me and other loved ones present.  I am confident that Dad is greeting whatever lies before him with the same creativity, generosity and love that I and his many friends have come to know him for.

Patrick