Obituary of Peter Edward Roode

Peter Roode, aged 85, died on Tuesday September 27 

Peter would have preferred something more concise and to the point but we think he deserves a little more.

To many, Peter might have come across as a grumpy old man (even when he was young) but to those who knew him well, he was kind-hearted, direct and very interested in other people. His story is unique and worth some detail.

Peter Edward Roode was born April 20, 1937 in Brockville Ontario to Kenneth Wilfred (Jim) Roode and Margaret Roode (nee Bissell).  Older brother to Jim (Virginia), Mary (Richard) and Elizabeth (John).  Growing up in Brockville, he excelled in school, but also enjoyed summers at the family cottage at Heather’s Point just west of town on the St. Lawrence river. 

Late in 1957 on New Year’s Eve, Peter and his friend Gary were out shooting in the woods.  Not having made any plans for the evening they flipped a coin to see who would ask out which girl of the two they thought wouldn’t have dates.  Peter lost the flip of the coin and invited Elizabeth Stephenson to the New Year’s event.   A fortuitous loss that eventually led to courtship and marriage in 1961.  His friend Gary saved the coin and gave it back to Peter on their 40^th wedding anniversary. Last October Peter and Beth celebrated their 60^th anniversary.

After attending Queens (Commerce) and Western (MBA) universities, Peter and Beth moved to Toronto.  Dad started work at the chartered accounting firm McDonald, Currie & Co, while Mom handled the kids, Chris (Angela) born in 1962 and David (Barb) born in 1967.  Later after working at several different firms Peter joined Triarch Corporation where he would later become Principal.

When his father’s boathouse started falling into the water, Dad told the workers to take it apart in pieces.  Those pieces became the base for his own cottage on DeWatteville Island just west of Brockville.  He managed all of the mechanicals himself while teaching his kids the basics of wiring, plumbing and woodworking. Lessons they keep to this day. The cottage provided a summer home and years of family gatherings for holidays, campfires, swimming, boating and a base for sailing cruises up through the Thousand Islands. Each summer Mom and Dad would take the sailboat west through the islands, ideally getting to an area on the river called “40 Acres” just west of Gananoque, where the river opened up and the winds were great for sailing.

Later when they were looking for a cottage closer to Toronto, they found property on Howe Island overlooking the “40 Acres.”  They had found their new summer home.  Dad made room for everyone and particularly loved having visits from the Grandkids, even when the “damn dog” came too!  Summers were spent taking boat trips into town for ice cream, swimming and taking the grandkids tubing. No doubt the grandkids, Chris (Paula, & Great Grandson Dougie), Meghan, Emily, Ethan, Charlotte and Mark will have fond memories of “Poppa” every time they go for Ice Cream in Gananoque or at Royal Scoop in Florida! 

Always active in sports from curling, platform tennis, sailing to ping pong at the “Blue Palace,” Peter enjoyed years skiing at Caledon Ski Club and golf at Lambton Golf and Country Club.  When Mom & Dad started wintering in Florida, Dad’s golf group, the TAGA group, provided not only regular exercise for Dad, but some of the best friendships that he and Mom have ever had.

Dad didn’t like funerals, but two of his favourite charities were the Thousand Islands Boat Museum and the 1000 Islands Playhouse.  The links to both are below, if you wish to make a donation.  Or donate to your favourite charity.  He would like that too.

www.tiboatmuseum.org/donate                             www.1000islandsplayhouse.com/general-donation

Dad wasn’t one for hugging, but he would always respond to his grandchildren when they gave him a big hug and told him that they loved him.  And we all did; and his family and friends knew how much he loved them.   We will miss him.