Obituary of Peter Wood

WOOD, Peter

Passed away peacefully at Extendicare Long Term Care Facility Hamilton on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 in his 95th year!

Beloved husband of the late Therese Editha (née Goedje). Loving father of daughter Sonia-Theresa (Herbert) Blum. Proud grandfather of grandson Tyrrell Jermaine Blum, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Predeceased by his parents Harry Gilbert and Alice (née Handley) forever remembered as Molly Wood, his beloved sister Irene (Herbert) Glover, and brother Jack (Jean) Wood. He will be dearly missed by his beloved sister Josephine (late George) Jason, niece Simone (Fergus) Poncia, and great-nieces Guinevere and Theodora, nephew Julian Jason, Kent England, as well as nephew Tony (Bev) Wood, great-niece Victoria and family, niece Beverly and family, with special and very fond memories of the late Glenise Wood, and all extended families in The North of England.

With special thanks to the staff at Extendicare Hamilton in particular Nella and Sheila, PSW‘s Barbara, Bren, Marlo and Joan, Nurses Kim and Gloria, Director of Nursing Karen Forbes, Office Manager Mary Koller, Social Worker Perpetua Balibalos, RSW and Dr. (med) Potter, for their compassionate care, advice and guidance along with a special mention of the late Darlene for her encouragement in both word and action. A personal thank-you to the following people: Richard J. Skrtich, B.A., LL.B. Barrister & Solicitor, Maria Derosa, The Royal Bank of Canada, Paul Toohey, B.Sc.Pharm., Karen Cerello CPA, CGA, Vincent Derosa, Account Executive Stoneridge Insurance Brokers, and Funeral Director Cherie Chennell.

Life’s first breath taken in Mirfield, England on December 2,1924 set in motion what turned into a blessed and long life of 95 years! A life marked by laughter when roaming the fields, forests and dales in West Yorkshire, or running along the seaside on the Irish Coast with his brother, sisters and faithful dog‚ Jess' during summer holidays; and tragedy when his beloved sister Irene left his life too soon. Remembering a father’s caution to take on life‚ step by step’ just like one builds a house‚ brick by brick’, and the wisdom and sharp sense of wit of a mother seeing him off to join the Regular Army, General Service Corp in 1943, leaving the Army as a WWII Veteran in 1954, during which time he met and married his late wife Therese Editha in 1948, in Hamburg, Germany leaving England immigrating to Canada in 1955 to start a new life together.

Continuing his working career with Hanson Transport Hamilton before dedicating the majority of his working life to Hamilton’s heartbeat, the steel making manufacturer Stelco Hilton Works, retiring in 1993. His music preferences ranged from Military Brass Bands, such as The Grenadier Guards or The Royal Marines to Alley Cat’s Honky Tonk. He loved stand-up comedy citing Tony Hancock or Dave Allen whenever possible. History, as a whole, especially English and WWII, became his expertise with a special preference for his mentor Sir Winston Churchill. A good book on espionage by Frederick Forsyth or John Le Carré were always nearby, as were many other authors writing thrillers and criminal novels. He loved debating emphatically and knowledgeably on the world‘s events whether it be sports, particularly Liverpool Football Club or Manchester United, or debating on the political agenda past and present!

A life accompanied by the serenity and idyllic interpretation of Herriot’s ‚All creatures great and small’, his faithful dogs, settling comfortably in his house of over 50 years and beloved garden enjoying life always with a cup of tea in one hand and a British newspaper in the other....

A life having been lived very much on his own terms...somehow finding his way through it all, strong, steadfastly with conviction, sometimes without compromise, but with a great deal of pride. His elegant stride from the soles of his feet to the very top of his head including a fashionable hat, looking debonair with sharp wit and a healthy portion of irony striding through life’s ups and downs usually one or two paces ahead of everyone else, with an unbreakable spirit against all odds confronting the inevitable bravely never bowing out. He described himself as a lone wolf’, the maker of one’s own fate whether good, bad or indifferent, always standing by one’s beliefs. After everything was set and done, the day for him always ended with all thoughts welcoming the new tomorrow...but now the night has ended for him with no new morning dawning ...Fair winds and a safe harbour. God bless him on his way home.

Cremation has taken place. A Service will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, a donation of a charity of your choice may be made and very much appreciated.

Notes of sympathy and condolences may be made at www.donaldvbrown.ca

How clear, how lovely bright,

How beautiful to sight

Those beams of morning play;

How heaven laughs out with glee

Where, like a bird set free,

Up from the eastern sea

Soars the delightful day.

To-day I shall be strong,

No more shall yield to wrong,

Shall squander life no more;

Days lost, I know not how,

I shall retrieve them now;

Now I shall keep the vow

I never kept before.

Ensanguining the skies

How heavily it dies

Into the west away;

Past touch and sight and sound

Not further to be found,

How hopeless under ground

Falls the remorseful day.

(A.E. Housman, A Shropshire Lad)