The family of Dr. Peter Douglas Jackson is saddened to share the passing of their beloved husband, father and grandfather, just a few weeks after his 85th birthday. While he was known to many patients in Cape Breton as Dr. Jackson, he was known to his family as Granky. Those who knew him well know he was a genuinely caring, kind and gentle-hearted person, destined to do what he did as a physician. He freely gave love, laughter and support to everyone he met.
Peter was born in Weymouth, England in 1937. He lived his childhood years in Hove, Sussex. He was educated at Prestonville and Cranleigh Schools and completed his medical degree at Guy’s Hospital in London, where in his own words, he “played a lot of rugby and drank a lot of beer.” At Guy’s, he met nurse Patricia Wright, the love of his life . They were married in November 1963 and moved to Sydney for what was supposed to be just a year in February 1965. They quickly learned to love the people, the Island, and the practice of family medicine.
Peter was a dedicated family doctor who considered it a privilege to care for his patients. He was involved with many additional roles over his 50 years of practice including terms as President of Doctors NS and Maritime Medical Care and Medical Director CBRH to highlight a few. He worked tirelessly to help develop the local palliative care service. He received numerous recognitions for his work, which he accepted humbly. The practice of medicine was a vocation, which he considered a labour of love.
Peter enjoyed life to the fullest. Summers in Boisdale with wonderful neighbours, swimming and storytelling with the grandchildren, skiing locally and away, and travelling widely with family and friends. He had a love of classical music, stemming from his schoolboy choir days, and was a proud member of the CB Chorale and Anglican Church choirs throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, four children and twelve (“the dirty dozen”) grandchildren – Simon Jackson and Sarah Muir, Alex, Will and Clara; Nichola and Michael Davie, Emma, Zachary and Ainsley; Clive Jackson, Abby, Tanner and Conor; Nigel Jackson and Catherine Caouette, Victoria, Ella and Suzanne. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton or the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation.
Family will welcome visitors at TW Curry Chapel in Sydney from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Friday, October 28th. A funeral service will be held at Christ the King Church, on Saturday, October 29th at 11 a.m with Rev. Glenn Kent officiating. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.twcurry.com.
