After 91 years of adventure, extensive travel and a life well lived, Peter slipped off into the soft, good night on August 15th, 2023. Born in Toronto, he left to join the air force and while stationed in Happy Valley – Goose Bay Labrador, Peter met the love of his life and wife of sixty years, Elizabeth. Soon after he was stationed with the Canadian Embassy in communist controlled Prague where their children, Christopher and Sharon were born in the middle of the Cold War.
Then across the globe to British Columbia and the construction of NORAD while Liz and children lived in Comox and where their daughter, Leslee, was born. Peter was selected to chauffer Princess Margaret on her visit to B.C.’s Centennial.
Next it was off to Canada’s largest air force base in St. Hubert, just outside of Montreal and just in time for the Cuban missile crisis. After fifteen years with the air force and a degree from Sir George William University, Peter joined Shell Canada and then as a buyer for Sears Canada before starting his own business.
Peter worked with 758 Air Cadet Squadron in Brampton, spent summers instructing air cadets in Trenton, taught small business practises at Fanshawe College and for Shell. He earned his private pilot’s license and with a group of fellow pilots they owned a Cessna 172.
Upon retirement he joined the Thornbury – Clarksburg Rotary for many more adventures with a great group of guys. And had the time to catalogue and rate his extensive movie collection. A ’punny’ man, Peter was always a diplomat and if he said he ‘made’ dinner it was code for he ordered KFC.
Survived by his son Chris (wife Maureen), Chris’s son Shane and daughter Shiloh (husband Zola and daughter Leah) and his daughter Sharon (husband Bob Allan and their daughter Ashleigh (husband James Richardson and sons John and William), daughter Michelle (husband Jeff Golds and son Edwin) and their son Rob (daughter Nola).
Predeceased by his parents – Charles and Ethel Powell, siblings John, Gertie, Marie, Jane, and Peggy. Sadly Elizabeth, the woman who organized his home life, moving dozens of times from coast to coast and letting everyone know where the Powells were off to next, passed away in 2011. His daughter Leslee Marie passed away in 1976.
The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Bay Haven Care Community and also his caregiver of many years – Shirley Hammond who made Peter’s life so much easier.
As per his wishes cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will take place at Poplar Ponds, 7817 Poplar Side Road, Collingwood on September 24th between 1 and 4. If you have a story or photo to share, please email: [email protected]. Arrangements entrusted to Fawcett Funeral Home Collingwood.