HUBBARD Peter Flen, 86, died Monday, January 4, 2010 at his home. He was born June 14, 1923, a son of Vasil and Katerina Furdyczka, and was raised in a small village called Strilbechi, near Sambir in the Western Ukraine.
Mr. Flen studied at a school in Germany to become a butcher and specialty meat maker after World War II. He then spent several years working in England and surrounding areas before immigrating to the United States via the Queen Mary in 1951.
He passed through Ellis Island just as his parents had done in years previous to his birth when they traveled to Youngstown and ran the Tod Hotel before returning to the "Old Country"'.
He became a United States Citizen and attended the International Institute in Youngstown where he met and later married, the former, Lillian Elizabeth Osesky, July 9, 1954.
Peter worked for the Briar Hill Sheet and Tube, the Bort Meat Packing Company in Columbiana, Peter J. Luger and Son's in Beaver Falls, Joseph's Supermarket in New Castle and finally Sawhill Tubular in Wheatland where he retired May 31, 1985. During his working life here he was also a landscaper, helping build Fellows Riverside Gardens. He owned and operated a small farm in Hubbard Township continuously while farming up to 300 acres of neighboring fields at one point.
He spoke five languages fluently and had friends from many countries and all walks of life. He had a strong work ethic and character few he met would ever forget. He loved to tell stories to everyone about his life experience. He will be forever loved and sadly missed by family and friends.
He leaves a son, John (Joan) Flen of Hubbard; two daughters, Linda (John) Bosela of Boardman and Donna (Jeff) Bosela of Hubbard and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brothers, Peter and John, two sisters, Rose Pappas and Anna Swica and three brothers, Nick, John and Michael Furdyczka.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, 11:00 AM at the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home.
Family and friends may call on Friday, 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Hubbard Union Cemetery.