It is with great sadness that we announce that Peter Cotsworth passed away very peacefully with his family attending on August 12, 2016 at the age of 89 years after a brief illness.  He was vibrant to the end.

He was predeceased by his first wife (1949—1976) Diane, his sister Barbara (Don) Sara 2010, and his brother James Bernard (Peggie) Cotsworth 2010.  He is survived by his loving wife, Joan, and his eldest brother Bob (Mary) Cotsworth. He is also survived by his beloved daughters: Barbara (Jack) Murphy and Nancy (Paul Kazakoff) Brager, and his beloved step-daughter Kim (Carlos) Keim. He had six grandchildren, two step grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Peter was born in York, England to Edith and Frank Cotsworth, MBE, and came to Guelph, ON from Belfast when the family returned to Canada during WWII. He had a tendency to “play hookey” but his hard learning at Skegoniel in Belfast made Canadian high school easy and he always finished at or near the top of his class. In his undergraduate years, he worked in the engineering departments of Stelco and the CNR.

He went on to get his degree in civil engineering from the University of Manitoba in 1949. He started his career with the Dept. of Highways in NE Manitoba where he stayed with homesteaders. In these early years, he learned the hard life of farmers and labourers, and was always most compassionate to people who worked very hard physically.

In 1954, he left the Department of Highways in Manitoba and took the position of Sr. Resident Engineer for Yoho Nat’l Park for the TransCanada Highway Construction. In 1955, he was promoted and moved to Banff as the Senior Engineer in the field in charge of all the design, location, and construction of the TransCanada Highway in Banff and Yoho Nat’l Parks. He stayed in this position until all the grading was completed and considered that portion of the TransCanada to be among his best works.

When he realized that practicing heavy civil engineering would mean that he would largely be away from home, particularly in the summer, he looked for a field which would allow for some summer holiday time with his family. He found it in petroleum engineering and joined Canadian Fina Oil (Petrofina) in 1956 as Company Civil Engineer. Over the years, he built roads, bridges, company town-sites, pipelines, gas plants, and was the Owner’s Engineer for the construction of the Fina Building in Calgary. From 1966-1969, he was Project Superintendent for one of the first major steam injection experimental projects in the tar sands near Fort McMurray.

He was promoted later to Production Operations Manager. In that position, he was on-site with the famous Red Adair – successfully fighting the largest sour gas well fire in Canada at that time. In 1979, he was promoted to Vice President of Production for Petrofina. The company was sold to Petro-Canada in 1981.  He became the Vice President of Heavy Oil there and was later promoted to Vice President of Conventional Production.

Peter retired in 1983. He was a lifetime member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Alberta (APPEGA), and was a longtime member of the Calgary Petroleum Club, the Earl Grey Golf Club and the Cowichan Golf and Country Club.

Peter and his beloved wife, Joan, moved to Mill Bay in 1985. Golfing, hunting, fishing, curling, sailing, gardening and bridge played a big part in his recreational life. He loved humour and was ever ready with a quick response, a play on words, limericks and poetry. He had a great memory for figures, poems, song lyrics and ditties.

In 2013, Peter and Joan moved to the Berwick in Victoria where he quickly formed many new friendships.

He was always blessed with brilliant mentors and loyal employees. He never asked for a raise or promotion but received many. On his desk there was an old box marked “THE SECRET OF SUCCESS “ which inside says “ WORK”.… He was a man of strong principles and ironclad integrity but had a genuine compassion for others. He loved all his family dearly and shepherded them all with extraordinary loving care.  He, in turn, was adored by his family who will miss him forever.  His many, many friends will also miss his mischievous quick wit and genuine caring.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful medical staff on the 4th floor of VGH for their compassion and skill trying to give this valiant man another chance to continue his life for a while longer.

A gathering to celebrate Peter’s life will be held at the Royal Colwood Golf Course on August 26, 2016 at 1 o’clock. Memorial tributes should be given to the Salvation Army who gave him a chocolate bar when he first landed in Canada.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

  • Jacquie Willumsen

    For several years, I heard stories about Peter from my Sweetheart, Lew Rizzo. I finally had a chance to meet Peter three years ago prior to a sailing trip on the West Coast. Peter took Lew and me out for lunch and I felt like I had known him forever – such a kind, wonderful man! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sincere Sympathy, Jacquie

  • Brian McClennon

    Dear Joan & Family,

    Please accept condolences from our family on Peter’s passing. Peter was truly an amazing man. Accomplished, adventurous, respected, kind, humble, loyal, principled, fun-loving – the list goes on. Our Larry had the privilege of working with Peter through much of his career and always spoke of him in the highest regard. We will cherish our memories of Peter and look back fondly on the wonderful times we had together.

    Love,
    Diane, Carmen & Brian McClennon

  • Dr. Alexander Luft

    Peter was always very proud of being an engineer. He lived across the road from us in Calgary and would occasionally loan me his Hewlett Packard 35 calculator when I had trigonometry equations in high school to solve. At the time, in about 1974, that instrument was cutting edge technology and Peter was the only one in town with such a wonderful computational device. That he let me use it was a sign of great generosity and kindness.

  • Catherine McKeating

    Peter was such a fine man in so many ways. He held a big place in my heart, and always held my respect. It has been a privilege to know him; his passing will leave quite a gap in my heart.
    Joan, Nancy and Barbie, please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
    Love Catherine

  • Jim & Ethel Luft

    It was our pleasure in life to have Peter & Joan as neighbours and friends for the many years in Calgary. We shared many meals & glasses of wine together. We still share the same with some of your family here in New Zealand. We will forever think fond thoughts of you.

  • John Robinson

    We were very sad to hear of Peter’s passing, Joan. Please accept condolences from the Robinson family in Calgary. I was privileged to have worked with Peter at Petrofina for more than 10 years. Peter was always a good mentor to young engineers and had an easy helpful informal manner. Please express our condolences to Peter’s daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren and other relatives.

    Sincerely John and Amy Robinson and family.

  • Eva Stefansson

    I am so very sad to hear of Peter’s passing. My condolence to you Joan and the family.

    I remember many bridge games that were played over the years both in Calgary and Mill Bay. We knew a joke was coming when he had a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile on his face. He never let us down! I expect Peter and some of the gang are in a game right now!

  • Carl & Bette Browne, Calgary

    Dear Joan,

    It was with great sadness that Bette and I read the news of Peter’s passing in today’s Calgary Herald.I first became acquainted with Peter at the Earl Grey Golf Club in the 70’s.
    In later years,my respect and admiration for Peter grew stronger when I was with Peace Pipe Line.
    Peter served on our Board of Directors, representing Canadian Fina.He taught me a thing or two about life in general,and offered me tremendous support in my job.
    As the years passed, our friendship continued, and we enjoyed our fun visits to your beautiful retirement home at Mill Bay.We are so thankful for having had the opportunity to visit you at the Berwick in March of last year. Peter was his usual witty and hospitable self, while offering us a bit of his favorite scotch. May he rest in peace.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of grieving.
    Sincerely ,
    Carl & Bette Browne.

  • Dean and Ian Ross

    After knowing Peter for nearly 60 years, it is hard to express the sadness I feel today.

    Ian and I have many wonderful memories of Peter and cherish them.

    Our love and thoughts are with you Joan, and, all the family.

    Most Sincerely,
    Dean and Ian Ross

  • John Dahl

    Our sincere condolences to Joan and all the Family. The Dahl family are deeply saddened by the news of Peters passing. My Father John Dahl Sr. met Peter in June 1957 at Windfall which is just West of Whitecourt Alberta. The work they did together for Petrofina spanned over 23 years but the friendship they forged lasted a lifetime. The following is a poem written by Peter which my Father has cherished and shared with his family and many friends over the years. It is titled: When it all began. Thrust together by the world of oil. In mud and mire we did our toil. There was Windfall, Silvercreek, Sakwatamau too. Berland, West Pine and later Mitsue. What did we learn? How did we cope? The strength of friendship. The need to hope. We’ve passed the torch to other men. Who when needed will respond again. For us the friendships carry on. There’s Peter, Lou, Jimmy and. Big Bad John. Peter F. Cotsworth February 14 1984. Written in Mesa Arizona while Peter and Joan were on vacation. Peter told my Father that when he wrote it he was watching the sunset. He said he was reflecting on the past and contemplating the future and these words came to mind. Rest in peace my dear friend.

  • Carlos Keim

    To a unique and extraordinary man, my friend and Father in law

    An Irish Blessing

    May the road rise up to meet you,
    May the wind be always at your back,
    May the sun shine warm upon your face,
    The rain fall soft upon your fields,
    Until we meet again,
    May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

  • Robert and Rita Butterworth

    Peter will be forever missed..we are so very sorry for your loss.. With love The Butterworth Family.

Leave Condolence

Type your condolence message into the box below and click "Submit". It may take up to 24 hours for it to appear. Your email address will not be published.

*

Search Website

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR