Peter Brett Williams

Born in Cheltenham, England, Peter sailed to Canada on the R.M.S. “Franconia” in April, 1950 at the age of five with his mother (Georgina Packer) and younger sister Caryl. Peter’s father Charles (Harold) was waiting for them in Toronto.

Peter was a clever and spirited boy, skipping a grade in school. A decorated Boy Scout (Queen’s Scout – highest honour), he consistently practiced “Be Prepared” and as an adult he jam-packed the family station wagon for every conceivable calamity. Peter loved to travel and he loved things that moved: bicycles, cars and airplanes, earning his private pilot’s licence at age 20.

Intelligent and meticulous, Peter was a natural fit with Electrical Engineering at the University of Toronto (full scholarship), followed by a Master of Business Administration at York University. At his side was Linda (née Favell), whom he met and fell in love with through a mutual chum at Alderwood Collegiate. Married in 1969, Peter and Linda moved to Bramalea, then Guelph, where they raised two daughters.

While he held various management positions in Guelph, Nova Scotia, Brampton and Ottawa, followed by a period of self-employment, Peter was most in his element at the family cottage near Port Severn. Gravitating to water, Peter loved boating, canoeing, swimming, and was an exceptional water skier. When snow fell, he skied and snowmobiled.

Peter also enjoyed camping in Algonquin Park, forest walks with the dogs, people and nature photography, classical, country and folk music, and he cherished his church community. Ever the connoisseur, he appreciated food-focused gatherings with family and friends, a cold glass of Dr. Pepper, and a predictable stockpile of cookies.

Alzheimer’s robbed Peter of his finesse with words and his competitive card-playing skills. Yet at heart he remained spiritual, affectionate, witty, good-intentioned, and he treasured his family hugs. Peter is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Peter is survived by his wife Linda, daughters Marla (Jason) and Sheri (Andrejs), and sister Caryl Bell (Doug). Peter’s life will be honoured on Saturday, April 11th at Westdale United Church, 1509 Sherbrooke Street West, Peterborough, with visitation at 11 a.m., service at 12 p.m., and reception afterwards. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory are welcome to the Alzheimer Society, Doctors Without Borders, Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, or the Nature Conservancy of Canada.