To the Pitura/Petura Clan,It is indeed a special time this Christmas as Clara and I look back on the milestone events of the past year of our lives.
We feel it is a privilege and even a duty to be in touch with family members of the Pitura/Petura Families since our first family “Roots Gathering” in Winnipeg in 1995. It seems almost unbelievable that through our Pitura Family Web Site we can instantly be together. Thanks to this technology!
Firstly, we are both in good health. We give thanks for this and our extended family are well and busy ---- our first Great grand daughter is on the Big School Bus and is off to school already. Emma is 7 years old!
Secondly, Clara and I celebrated our 60th Wedding Anniversary in October. We enjoyed a reception dinner and fellowship with twenty five family and guests. Previous to this in September, we hosted a family dinner in Calgary for family members unable to attend in Winnipeg because of work schedules and travel costs.
Further, to the occasion, Carl and Clara received congratulations from the following; the Prime Minister of Canada, Hon Stephen Harper, the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, the Lieutenant Governor , Hon Philip S. Lee, the Premier of Manitoba Greg Selinger and a number of other officials. This was not expected and indeed a surprise. We were honored and humbled to receive these presentations.
Also as a note of interest, Clara’s eldest sister Agnes Pitura celebrating 95 years and second oldest sister Helen Manness, 91 years, attended our celebration. What a Blessing!
We write this Christmas letter from Arizona, this is our winter escape and our second home in Fountain of the Sun Country Club in Mesa Arizona. Our first visit was in 1984 for a couple of weeks with brothers Frank and Doris, Stanley and Agnes, and Walter and Myrtle. We were all together in Holiday Village for a time visiting and enjoying Happy Hours!
Our Christmas Message - May you all enjoy the Best of Health and a beautiful and peaceful Holiday Season with Family and Friends and be thankful! We live in a Great Country - May God Bless…..Till we meet again.
Love,
Carl and Clara
Note: Carl F. Pitura is the last surviving family member and son of Paul and Sophie Pitura of Winnipeg, Manitoba who immigrated to Canada from Poland in 1901. He is not referred to as the Patriarch of the Pitura Family. We give thanks again!
