Peter Iwanow, 84 of Worcester died peacefully on Monday, July 16, 2018 with his family at his side in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Irene (Pothier) Iwanow; his children, John Iwanow and his wife Stephanie of Oxford, MA, Catherine Brashear and her husband Gregory of Newmarket, NH; his grandchildren, whom he loved very much, Robert and James Iwanow, Emily and Danielle Brashear.
Peter was born in the small Russian village of Sohawchawa to his parents, Wawara and Ivan Iwanow. He had two sisters, Newshka and Vera and older brothers, Sergae and Wasil. Peter survived the harsh conditions of childhood in Russia and later during World War II in captivity of the Germans, as a child laborer at 8 years old until the end of the war. After the war, he stayed in Germany where he made lifelong friends which he stayed in constant contact over his lifetime. At the age of 23 he came to America with his brother Wasil and resided in Worcester where he worked at the Supreme Coat Co as a coat cutter. He met the love of his life and guardian angel, Irene Pothier of Leominster, at the White Eagle Polish Club in Worcester, where they shared their love of dance, music and singing. They married two years later. Peter loved gardening and spent many hours tending to his vegetables and flowers. His gardens were the envy of the neighborhood and he always shared the bounty with family and friends. His other passion was his love of German music. He especially loved playing the accordion. He played for many years in the local German Club and for his children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and loved forever.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., Worcester with a Mass at 11:00 a.m., in Sacred Heart – St. Catherine of Sweden Church, 600 Cambridge St. Calling hours in the funeral home are Saturday, July 21, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Burial will be in St. Cecelia Cemetery, Leominster, MA. www.worcesterfuneral.com