Peter Wilfred Ackling

He was especially comforted by the presence of his mother, Ursula, who recently traveled from England for a family wedding. Peter will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, son, friend, and soccer referee.

Peter was born on March 3, 1965, in Tidworth, Wiltshire, England, to Roy and Ursula Ackling. He grew up as a proud Yorkshireman with his older brother Michael, in Harrogate, England. Peter spent his childhood swimming and playing rugby, cricket, and football (soccer), while cheering on Sheffield United and the England National Football Team. He made many friends at school and on his sports teams, keeping in touch with several of them through the years despite living “across the pond”.

In 1984 Peter graduated from St. John Fisher Catholic High School, and four years later he graduated from Staffordshire University with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. He worked in England for several years before moving to Fayetteville, Arkansas to work for Tyson Foods alongside several dozen fellow Brits. He earned the nickname " Yorkie,” for his thick Yorkshire accent. While living in Fayetteville Peter started his family. He later moved to Coppell, Texas, where he raised his three children, Annabelle, George, and Penelope, and coached their youth soccer teams, sharing his love of the game with dozens of players and families in the community.

Peter married his wife, Amy Polcari, on October 11, 2014, and gained 9 brothers and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Peter and Amy later moved into their home in Lewisville, Texas, where they regularly hosted family dinners and game nights with his children. The family always enjoyed Amy’s cooking, a variety of chocolate desserts, boisterous card games, and Dad’s silly jokes. In recent years, Peter and Amy enjoyed autumn road-trips to Beaver Lake, Arkansas, for the peace and tranquility it provided.

Peter found purpose in mentoring younger men and women in their careers and in early adulthood. He worked as an Inside Sales Director at JSJD Media and became close friends with many of his colleagues. Peter retired at the beginning of 2026 to spend more time with his family, pursue his interests, and embed himself deeper in his faith community and neighborhood. Throughout his adult life he enjoyed training and traveling for running events, triathlons, and bike races. Peter was an enthusiastic Spanish student and traveler, and he was enchanted by his time in South and Central America, particularly Colombia. On Duolingo, he was a regular member of the Diamond League and achieved a streak exceeding 1000 days. He was an avid historian, and captivated his children with his knowledge of military history and geopolitics. He frequently watched sporting events with them, especially his son, George. He stayed connected with his adult children in many ways, particularly by sharing his “Songs of the Day” and his quick phone calls, just to check in. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his wife, Amy, whom he cherished with his whole heart. Peter and Amy went on many long walks and hiking trips together. Every day, first thing in the morning, he put the kettle on to brew her tea.

Peter will be remembered for his witty jokes, hearty laugh, heart-warming hugs, compassion, and devotion to faith and family. He kept his sense of humor and supportive nature to the very end, making each nurse, doctor, and caretaker he encountered smile every day he battled pancreatic cancer.

Peter is survived by his wife, Amy Polcari; children, Annabelle Ackling and Sam Jordan, George and Caterina Ackling, and Penelope Ackling; mother, Ursula Ackling; brother, Michael Ackling; 9 brothers and sisters-in-law; 17 nieces; 17 nephews; 9 great-nieces; and 12 great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Ackling; father-in-law, John Polcari, and mother-in-law, Anna Marie Polcari.

A visitation and rosary will be held on Thursday, September 3 from 5 - 8 pm at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home in Coppell, Texas. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 4 at 10 am in the St. Ann Catholic Church Chapel, with a reception to follow in the assembly room from 11 am - 1 pm. His family is extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support they have received during this difficult time.

In Peter’s memory, donations may be made to The Lustgarten Foundation below, a leader in Pancreatic Cancer Research.