Peter, dad, Opa left this world peacefully on September 25, 2019. Born on January 3, 1930, he grew up on the family farm just outside of Creemore with his siblings Robert, Helen, Jean, and Loraine, and their parents Elsie and Cecil Coates.
Music was his life. As a teenager, Peter traveled by train to Toronto to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Upon earning his Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto in piano, he made his way to Collingwood where he was hired as the youngest church organist on record for Trinity United Church. Peter was also an elementary school music teacher, traveling to rural schools around the Collingwood and Blue Mountain area. During this time, he met Marguerite Hoogendyke, a local elementary school teacher. She became the love of his life; they married on August 7, 1953.
Peter subsequently became an elementary classroom school teacher at Byng Public School in Stayner, bringing home many hilarious stories about his students. As if he was not already busy enough, Peter acted as the choir director and organist at both Trinity United and All Saints’ Anglican churches for over 60 years. This role gave him immense joy and satisfaction. Peter also taught private piano lessons after school and acted as the part-time sales representative for Keats Organ Company, designing and selling pipe organs to churches around the country.
Peter’s love of the outdoors included skiing, hiking and swimming. Every winter weekend was spent at Alpine Ski Club. Peter continued skiing well into his 70's. Craigleith Provincial Park became a regular stomping ground for him and his family, as did the Bruce Trail. He also enjoyed cycling as a mode of transportation in and around Collingwood, frequently in his fuzzy slippers. This was a quaint quirk. Another passion of Peter’s was trains. He and his family were the original train spotters! J
Perhaps Peter’s most outstanding traits was his eternal optimism and belief in community service. He was a founding member of the Interfaith Choir, Sound Investment Choir, and the Georgian Trio. Peter was a member of the Bruce Trail Association, the Nature Conservancy, the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, and the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. He delivered Meals on Wheels and was a visitor to shut-ins. Peter regularly played the piano for residents at local nursing homes. He had time for everyone.
Peter was known for his stories that he enjoyed repeating, often. This was his way of connecting.
An avid traveller, hiking enthusiast, and keen historian, Peter and Marguerite revelled in their adventures abroad. Together they explored much of Canada, as well as numerous countries in Europe and the Caribbean. Locally, Peter regularly combed the Blue Mountains and the Bruce Trail with Marguerite and his daughters in tow in the early years, and then by car when Marguerite could no longer travel on foot.
Peter is survived by his three daughters: Henny, Robin (Jim Everts), Martha (Philippe Eveleigh), and his cherished grandsons, Anton and Cédric Eveleigh, who you have probably heard about. ‘Opa’ encouraged them wholeheartedly in their pursuits, delighted in being an important part of their life, and never failed to ask about their accomplishments.
Our heartfelt thanks for the sustained attention and loving care by numerous people goes out to all, but in particular to Susan Connolly, Velma Cook, Kathy & Larry Halliday, and Greg Goldsworthy. We also wish to thank the staff at Sunset Manor, in particular Marsha, Brent, Deb, Linda R., and Kevin for taking such fine care of dad and making his final months as comfortable as possible. And to Marilyn McEachern, we are so deeply thankful that she could take dad/Opa to the places he loved. She brightened up his final days.
Peter’s involvement in the musical community, his love of the natural world, and his mission to make this world a better place for all speak volumes to who he is, was, and will forever remain: a kind, generous musician, fiercely devoted to his family.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday October 26, 2019 at All Saints’ Anglican Church in Collingwood. In lieu of flowers, we ask that memorial contributions in his memory be made to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society or the Bruce Trail Association.