Mr. Peter Kelly

Peter Kelly died in the early morning hours of April 5, 2013 at the age of 83. He will be deeply, deeply missed by his beloved wife, Flora Macdonald, his daughter Stephanie Metzger (Robert) of Highland Grove, Ontario, his son, Christopher Kelly (Angela) of San Jose, California, and his grandchildren Zachary and Gregory Metzger and Alexandra and Brendan Kelly. Also left to mourn are his dear brothers Christopher (Vivien) of Shepton Mallet, England, and Bernard (Myra) of Cobham, England, as well as loved nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews in England.

Peter was born in Cuddington, Cheshire, England in 1929, the eldest son of Jim and Marjorie (nee Sanders) Kelly. He grew up at the White Barn Hotel where his father was the licensee, and was educated at Prior Park School in Bath, Somerset. After leaving school he began his film career with Times Film in Chester. In 1951 he travelled to Iraq as cinematographer on “The Third River” about a new oil pipeline in the Middle East. He remained in Iraq for five years making films throughout the Middle East for the Iraq Petroleum Company Film Unit.

In 1956 he immigrated to Canada where he worked with Crawley Films in Ottawa and the National Film Board in Montreal. Soon after arriving in Canada, he married Margaret Joyce Phillips who predeceased him in 1982. In 1959 he began his career at CBC in Toronto as a news cameraman on “Close-Up” and “Newsmagazine”. He then spent two years at CBC Winnipeg as Film Producer. Returning to Toronto, he produced the documentary series “Telescope” for several seasons. He later produced and directed such full-length documentaries as “Once Upon a Hundred Years” to celebrate Canada's Centennial, and “And We Were Young” about Canada's role in the First World War.

He joined CBC's Drama Department, co-producing the series “Ritter's Cove” with a German film company, and went on to produce movies for CBC - “Gentle Sinners” and “Getting Married in Buffalo Jump” among others. He completed his CBC career in Halifax as Director of Network Development for Eastern Canada.

He returned to Toronto in 1993 to take early retirement. In 1999 he and Flora Macdonald were married.

Peter was a brilliant photographer, a voracious reader of literature, history and biography, and a lover of art and of classical music and jazz. He was an enthusiastic film- and theatre-goer and a globetrotter for work and pleasure. He loved fine food and was an excellent cook. He was also noted for his wicked sense of wit and humour.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 11 at 10:30 am at the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure, 1300 Leslie Street just south of Lawrence Avenue. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Thornhill.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Smile Train or the World Wildlife Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.trullfuneralsyonge.com.