Peter Cartmell

Peter led an incredible life, built a beautiful family, and is deeply missed.

He was born August 5, 1949, in Preston, England and was an only child to his father, Alfred Cartmell, and his mother, Mary (Grubb) Cartmell, of Blackpool, England. Peter would regale his future children with tales of his childhood dogs, the dogs’ adventures taking the bus around town by themselves and fetching items from the family shop for home. As a child, Peter adored England’s steam engines, often packing a lunch to observe them chuffing along while making meticulous drawings of the locomotives. Peter’s love of trains never waned – one issue of his British railway magazine from 1967 surfaced in the garage in Coral Springs almost five decades later!

Peter retired from the British Army as a Major after a career that spanned the globe. From training exercises above the Arctic Circle in Norway to evading a sea snake in coral reefs off Fiji to driving a tank in front of the Brandenburg Gate in a divided Berlin, Peter’s army adventures were legendary. After a few glasses of port toward the end of a happy Christmas Eve, Peter would treat family and friends to stories from those times. On one such adventure, while Peter was serving in Belize, he met Leslie Silversmith, whom he married on April 10, 1980, in England.

Peter and Leslie began a devoted partnership that carried them across continents and through life’s many seasons. They welcomed the birth of their oldest daughter, Sarah, in Northern Ireland and their youngest daughter, Jamie, in Hong Kong. Peter was a steadfast, loyal presence in his family’s lives on matters large and small. He built dollhouses, fixed anything in the house -- especially VCRs within which his daughters’ movie tapes unspooled – and possessed infinite patience in hanging elaborate picture groupings for Leslie. In 1993, Peter and Leslie started a new life in the United States when they moved to Coral Springs, Florida.

Peter worked for many years in Crime Analysis for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and spent his free time battling bamboo in the backyard by the pool. He enjoyed “Hurricane Parties” with the closeknit neighbors of NW 24th Street, admired Florida’s birdlife and cursed the cheeky squirrels, and made English Premier League matches the background noise of his life. With time, Peter’s family grew to include Sarah’s husband Ofilio Mayorga and Jamie’s husband Jason Walkow. Peter also welcomed four grandchildren: Lucas and Theodore Mayorga, and Hannah and Benjamin Walkow. Peter quickly became “Peetah” and was always in demand for his unparalleled skill at tickling.

After retiring from Fort Lauderdale PD, Peter enjoyed more travel, with adventures in the great American West, Peru, Morocco, Greenland and even an African safari. Peter loved good food and good drink, and gathering family and friends for a proper Christmas. Peter exuded warmth, and with a sparkle in his eye, could unleash a sharp wit and a dry sense of humor. He was a quiet man, but when he spoke, you listened – you knew it would be worth your time.

Peter passed after a courageous battle against cancer. He was predeceased by his beloved dog Steffie and the indomitable canine duo, Cagney and Lacey. He is survived by Leslie Cartmell of Coral Springs, Florida; Sarah Cartmell and Ofilio Mayorga of Washington, DC; and Jamie and Jason Walkow of Boulder, Colorado.

To honor Peter, the family will hold a Celebration of Life. Donations can be made in Peter’s name to The Humane Society of Broward County, a link is provided below.