Peter Stratford Dawson died peacefully with medical assistance on June 17, 2017 in Victoria, BC after a courageous 14-year fight with leukemia and chronic pain. He was born on May 9, 1939 in Trois-Rivieres, PQ. Peter is survived by his wife, lover and best friend of 56 years, Betty; his two children, Kathy and Dave; and his grandson, Max. He will be deeply missed by many other relatives and friends.
Peter and Betty were married in Sackville, NB on June 5, 1961 and retired in Victoria in 1992 after a long and successful career working overseas with a leading Swiss pharmaceutical company. In his retirement, Peter served as president of the BC Cancer Society from 1995-1999 and initiated Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, an annual fundraising event now in its 20th year. Peter completed his MBA at Royal Roads University in 2001 and then established his own management consulting company. He was a skilled silversmith and gem faceter and avid collector of tools, computers and books.
At Peter’s request, a private cremation and interment has been arranged.
The family wish to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for Peter over the last several years.
Donations may be made to the BC Cancer Agency, 2410 Lee Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8R 6V5.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Chris Brown
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Jeannette Klein Dear Betty and family.
We have expressed our sincere condolences personally but want to add our names to the list of those who will miss him as a good neighbor. George was always happy to see what Peter’s new project was and help out if he could. Peter had teased me in the past for walking up the steep part of Amblewood with my bike. Everytime afterward I’d look over my shoulder to be sure he didn’t catch me at it again.
Now he can rest in peace with no pain. Jeannette and George Klein
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Debi Dempsey I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. Peter was a great man with great foresight. I had the pleasure of working with him on the first Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. He has left an amazing legacy that is still going strong after 20 years. Peter will be truly missed and will always be remembered. My sincere condolences.
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Helma and Henry Gansen Dear Betty, David, Kathy and Max,
we read with deep sadness of Peter’s passing. Although it has been many years since we last visited Victoria, the memories of you, Betty, and Peter were never far from our minds. We always planned to make another trip ‘out West’ sometime soon, not knowing that we were running out of time.
Peter was such a class act! Henry and I think with fondness of the times we shared together in Nigeria. The dinner parties, the outings, the good times, and the crazy experiences that we all had to deal with at times will be forever etched in our minds. We will remember Peter with great fondness.
With our heartfelt sympathy to all of you,
Henry and Helma
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Lorna Dawson Dear Betty, Kathy and Dave,
I was very saddened to hear of Peter’s death. You are all in my thoughts and have my deepest condolences.
Lorna Dawson
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Chris Moore Betty and family: Please accept our condolences on the passing of Peter. He was a valued, long time member of the Lapidary and Silversmithing group at the SHOAL centre in Sidney. Peter always encouraged us to improve our skills and learn new techniques and was ready with a helping hand when asked. Peter’s work on stones, faceting, or metal was always of the highest quality and inspired us to achieve better results in our own projects. When proudly presented with a finished piece of metalwork or a faceted stone, Peter would always say, with a twinkle in his eye and tongue in cheek, “When you’ve done your final polish it will be fine.” The evidence of Peter’s sharing and nurturing attitude will always be remembered in the Lapidary workshop as we have many tools and jigs that he made for us to make our projects easier to complete. In later years we enjoyed his visits when he would bring us a new tool, leave us some books, or make suggestions about our projects, but always create a laugh with his ever-present, quick wit. We will miss you Peter.
The Lapidary and Silversmithing group at SHOAL, Sidney, B.C.
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Shawn Thank-you Peter for all the smiles and pleasant conversations. You touched each and every nurse that cared for you at the Jubilee. We will all remember you with great fondness.
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Ed Bain I was sorry to hear of Peter’s passing and I remember him fondly as a calm and dedicated champion of the Cops for Cancer Tour De Rock. I remember when he and Derek Tolmie came to my office in the late 90’s to float the idea of a fundraising bike ride down Vancouver Island to raise money for Childhood Cancer research, I didn’t think it would work thank God they had better foresight than me as the Tour De Rock is now in it’s 20th year.
RIP Peter you did great work.
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Diane Delisle Dear Betty,
The Gansens shared the very sad news of Peter’s death after a very long illness. We were so very sorry to hear this. Although our paths have not crossed since our days in Nigeria where we enjoyed many wonderful meals and evenings together we always followed you through Helma and Henry who filled in the blanks. We are deeply sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Diane and Jean-Paul Delisle.
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Kathy (Herties) MacLellan Betty I am so sorry for your loss. Peter loved you deeply and fiercely as I am sure you know. I remember the first day I met Peter, in our MBA program when we were assigned to the same team along with Warren, Greg, and Shirley. We met in a small board room to prepare our first assignment. Peter casually placed his leather case on the table, opened it and pulled out a crystal glass and a bottle of scotch. He has a gentle smile and a twinkle in his eye. I knew right away we would be friends. His loss will be felt deeply by those who who were fortunate enough to love and be loved by him. I picture him now, wherever he may be, pain free with a twinkle in his eye anticipating his next adventure. Xo
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John and Eileen Hall Dear Betty, Kathy, David and Max,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Peter, a wonderful husband, father, and friend. What a great and accomplished guy! We’ll never forget the fun times we had together in Kenya and also how welcome Peter made us feel, when we would drop in for a quick visit in Victoria, while visiting our daughter in Coquitlam.
Be strong and please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
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Don and Helena Wilkinson Uncle Pete, your ready smile and razor wit will be sorely missed. Your comments on life were always based on truth and let us look at things in a new light. Aunt Betty, Kathy, David and Max, our hearts are breaking for your loss. Know that you are all in our prayers. Don and Helena
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Linda and Rolf Dawson Dear Betty, Kathy, and Dave – we were very sorry to learn of Peter’s passing after his long and gallant battle with leukemia. Please know that you are in our thoughts.
-Linda and Rolf Dawson
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ERIC WEST Betty and family: Peter will be long missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. As you surely know, Peter was a true gentle man. He shared his talent, his energy, his enthusiasm for life, his creative talent, his kindness, his gentleness, his humour with all those in his orbit. I felt especially honoured to be his friend (although I know he was true friend to many), getting a ride in his new Jag the day he bought it when he was first diagnosed – a typical response of his to bad news – to show his strength of character and determination that persistence, good humour would prevail. Peter was a true leader, a great friend, a class “act” and a good man. May he rest in peace. I will muchly miss him.
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ERIC WEST Farewell Peter, my friend. You were the class of the RRU MBA Programme. A leader, a colleague, a friend, a supporter to so many. And, for me, an administrator, you were a friend and supporter. Rides in your latest Jag were always a treat!! You made a beautiful piece of jewellery for my wedding – which will always resonate with your caring hand.
Peter, you set the tone and class of the RRU eMBA Programme in the early years, and your latest years of carrying your pain and discomfort have been the epitome of class. Farewell, dear Peter. You have left a great, good mark with many of us. Much love.
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Pam (Whyte) Cunningham Dearest Betty, Kathy and David: My heart aches for your family. Peter loved all of you so much. He & Betty have been a wonderful friends to me for close to 25 yrs. He was witty, kind, gentle and very courageous during his battle with cancer. He rarely complained, although everyone could see how he was struggled. His presence is deeply etched in my heart. What a mentor, what a great example and a true friend. God Rest your soul Peter. Loads of Love to all of you. Pam (Whyte) Cunningham.
Dear Betty and family, I was one of the students Peter mentored at UVic (1999 or so). We stayed in touch for years. I recently came across news of his death after noticing a gap in our correspondence. Peter gave me frank and honest career advice at several points in my career. I am grateful to have had the chance to talk with him, either at the Faculty club for lunch or over eggs and toast at a Victoria diner.
Peter also gave me cryptic advice about the quirky town of Sackville, but he never explained and I never pressed him to.
I spent over 8 years in Sackville (I’m now in Fredericton) and I often smiled as I walked through the downtown and wondered what it was like back in 1961 when Peter met his life partner.
I will end this ramble by sending my condolences, belated as they are, and letting you know that he will be missed from coast to coast.
Chris Brown