Peter – Lelejko

He always had a smile on his face and was ready with a quick one liner. His most important role in life was that of a father. He realized that all 8 of his kids were unique and adapted an individual parenting style for each one. He was hands on and loved to do everything with them from sledding to fishing. Yearly trips to Wildwood were always a highlight. He loved his Polish roots: he was a member of the Riverside Polish American Club and kielbasa, perogis and gulumpky were standard fare. He bet the jockey, never the horse and enjoyed trips to the casinos. He played football at Palmyra High School and for Big Red, the semi pro-team. He was small but tough as anyone who played against him could attest: he might be seeing stars, but he’d stop the run.rnHe was never known to complain except when he comically asked why people called these his golden years. Even in his later years he had a mind like a steel trap and loved a friendly debate about anything especially politicians (they pass impositions, not laws), the Eagles and Phillies and business (he’d always offer a good stock tip). You were always left with the feeling he was as interested in your opinion as offering his own.rnHe fished everything from the Rancocas Creek to the Atlantic Surf to the Delaware Bay. He also had a musical side and could play the banjo, organ and accordion, bowled Monday Nights at Riverside Lanes and was a long time member of St. Casimir’s Church. An entrepreneur, he owned Harwil Sign Co. in Philadelphia. Later years found him with his wife on Island Cruises.rnrnHe met a young lady (the late Grace) at a dance in Burlington. They’d marry and be blessed by 8 children: Peter of Burlington Twp., Patricia Agar of Louisiana, Barbara Wilson and Grace Hardy both of Riverside, Donna Miller of Burlington City, Antoinette Terrell of Texas, Maryanne Theurer of Delran and Debbie Stackhouse of Burlington; 17 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. rnrnCome celebrate 89 fatherly years Monday 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside where there will be a service at 11:00 a.m. Interment St. Peter Cemetery. Tell a great story about Peter at Sweeneyfh.com.rn