Peter Briggs Simpson

Tall, erect, and always well-dressed right up to the end, he was a convivial host, whether at home or at the cottage.He shone with sociability, good humour, and generosity, qualities that friends and family delighted in, and which drew many visitors to his home. He was one of the best storytellers. He would entertain you with tales of his youth growing up on Alpine Avenue, of his retirement travels with Helen to Malawi, Sierra Leone, El Salvador, and Costa Rica for Canadian Executive Services Overseas (CESO), and portraits of all the interesting people he met along the way in his long life.

PB graduated from McMaster in 1947 with a MSc in Chemistry and spent his career as a manager at one of Procter & Gamble's largest labs in North America, testing the company's products. In 1948, he married Helen, and they raised five children, along with other young people, dogs and cats, all drawn to the warmth and liveliness of the Simpsons’ home.

His love of music continues through his children. Who could resist PB’s passion for Johnny Cash, The Grand Ole Opry, or Larry’s Country Diner played loud and proud!

Then there were the cars, beginning with the family Cord he drove to McMaster as a young man. There was a second-hand ‘58 Cadillac Fleetwood through to the ‘67 Eldorado. Mechanically inclined, PB was often in the driveway surrounded by his sons, their friends, neighbours, and strangers over and under the hoods of various cars.

Peter is greatly missed by his children: Chris (Ann), Sylvia, Holly, Peter (Jenny), his six grandchildren and great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen (nee Gordon), his eldest son, Glen (Bessy), and his brother Richard.

At his request, there will be no funeral, but a celebration of life will be held at Cresmount Funeral Home, 322 Fennell Ave East, Hamilton on Sunday, October 4th from 1 pm to 4 pm.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to his PSWs and the nursing staff at Macassa Lodge.

Peter‘s passing marks the end of an era, but we can aspire to embody a few of his many sterling qualities and his enthusiasm for life!