It is with sadness that the family of Peter Kenneth MacLeod announces his death on April 22, 2021 at the age of 82. His dry sense of humour, his connection with people, his thoughtfulness, and his consideration for others will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife and soulmate, Eleanor and their only son, Andrew Peter, his brother-in-law Paul Bailey (Genevieve) and cousins in BC and Scotland. He was born in Toronto to parents Annie and Peter MacLeod, who had emigrated from Stornoway, Isle of Lewis in Scotland.
Peter was educated in Toronto and Scotland. As a pre-teen, he and his mother briefly moved back to Scotland after the death of his father. They lived on a croft with peat fires, oil lamps, well water and no electricity (or TV). Back in Toronto for secondary school with a newly acquired Highland-Hebrides accent, he met Reay MacKay, a fellow student and a piper with the 48th Highlanders. Under Reay’s tutelage, he learned to play the pipes and joined the 48th Highlanders. This led to a lifelong friendship with Reay and a lifelong association with the 48th Highlanders.
After secondary school, Peter furthered his education in business administration at Ryerson, York University, University of Toronto and Niagara University. He worked in retail for a number of years prior to pursuing a career in teaching business courses with the Durham and Peel Boards of Education.
He met his soon-to-be wife, Eleanor, when she was in nurse’s training at the Toronto Sick Children’s Hospital. Her friend and fellow nursing student, Lynda, was dating Tom who was a member of the 48th Highlanders. Tom suggested that Peter invite Eleanor to a St. Patrick’s Day party at his house. Two years later, on March 25, 1967 Peter and Eleanor were married – a Centennial project which endured for a lifetime.
Peter had a wide variety of interests which he pursued with passion.
At the forefront was music, especially military music. As Sergeant Piper with the 48th Highlanders and briefly the Toronto Scottish Regiment, he participated in a variety of engagements with the pinnacle being the tattoo in Wembley England. Solo gigs included Robbie Burns dinners, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, birthdays and Remembrance Day ceremonies. His card read: “It never rains on my parade” and it was legendary that the sun always came out just before the event when Peter played. He was president of the 48th Pipes and Drums Association and maintained contact with all its’ members through newsletters which he produced regularly.
He also loved hockey and was a lifetime member of the “When are the Leafs going to win a Stanley Cup again” Club, never imagining that his 54-year marriage would outlast the Leafs on-ice competence. He instilled a love of the game in his young son. As a result, Andrew became a beautiful skater and is strong hockey player. Peter had the puck from Andrew’s first goal mounted and it remains prominently displayed on the bookcase in the office! Peter played on a recreational hockey team and, in later years, with the Old Timers. Until very recently, early mornings would find him skating at the local arena.
Finally, Peter enjoyed cycling. Both he and Eleanor were avid cyclists who cycled trails in Collingwood, Meaford, Barrie, Orillia, Coldwater, Midland, Elora, and Palgrave. One of the most notable of these was the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Trenton which they did in sections, acquiring pins and Tilley hats at its’ successful completion.
He and Eleanor travelled extensively. Besides their travels within North America to destinations in the Maritimes and Alaska, they also enjoyed exploring Scandinavia, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, the Baltic States, Russia, Madagascar, South Africa and Bermuda as well as taking cruises on the Rhine, the Danube, and around South America. Military tattoos took them to Edinburgh, to Halifax, and to Virginia Beach. A highpoint was attending the Trooping the Colour in London England, an annual parade celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s birthday. Acquiring seats for the event was a feat undertaken successfully by Eleanor to surprise her husband – he looked resplendent in his morning coat and top hat. His Scottish roots unfailingly called to him and he took numerous trips to Stornoway and the Tolsta-Ness moor in the Hebrides where he enjoyed fishing and walking the moors while fighting off the merciless midges.
A lifelong learner, Peter had a long- standing interest in the military and kept up to date with all current affairs. Also, he and Eleanor pursued a variety of courses at the Life Institute.
On the way to the hospital for the procedure that ended his life, Peter turned to Eleanor in the car and said, “if something goes wrong, let me go — I’ve lived a great life.” And while we are devastated by our loss, we completely agree that Peter lived a great life which is a model for all. Thank you, Peter.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home, 6191 Yonge Street. A private family service and interment will be held in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
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