WALTER PETERS Obituary
Major (Retired), CD
A fiercely proud, loyal and determined trailblazer, role model and mentor right to the end, Walter Watson (Bub) Peters, age 76, Canada's first black, jet-fighter pilot passed away tragically at the Civic Hospital on 24 February, 2013 as the result of a stroke. Loving husband to Nancy, Dad to Shelley (Joe), Laura (Azzedine) and Catherine and Bampy to grandchildren Lauren, Matthew, Jacob, Adam and Sami. Predeceased by his parents Laura Mae Peters (nee: Bailey) and father Freeman Peters, sisters Doris, Matilda and Lillian and brothers William and John. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, loving friends, his special church family at St. Helen's and the newest editions to the family, his dogs Thelma and Louise. Family will receive guests from 2 pm on March 3, 2013 at St. Helen's Anglican Church, 1234 Prestone Drive, Orleans followed by a Celebration of his Life at 3 p.m. As per the families' wishes, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the St. Helen's Church Building Fund in Walter's name would be appreciated. Never one to back down from a challenge, he fought a good fight until the end. He did not play by the book, he wrote his own. He did not colour between the lines. He put colour where he wanted to see it, where he felt it should be and where he knew it deserved to be. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with Kelly Funeral Home Orleans.
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18 Entries
March 15, 2013
Shelley,
I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I always had fun staying at your house as teenagers. I remember when your Dad would tell me he was a boxer and he was in the "Walter weight " division. I will cherish those memories always.
Thinking of you and your family.
Denise (Hall) McDonald
Dan Martella
March 5, 2013
To Wally's Family,
I am heartbroken to think of Wally's passing. He was my football coach a long time ago and I remember him for his sincere, guiding, great and fun personality for the couple of years I had the pleasure of him as my coach and friend. He was a very special person to me and all our gang on the team. I only wish I had stayed in touch with him.
Thank you Wally ...
Denny Charlebois
March 4, 2013
Nancy and Family
Shocked to hear of Walter's passing. It's been a while however one could never forget a meeting with him. One of the brightest and accomplished people I have ever encountered he was friendly, engaging and involved. Walter's perspective may have come from the freedom of seeing things from a distance while flying but his strength was his interst in making everyone around him better. We crossed paths at the Canadian Center for Management Development in the early 90's and he subsequently asked me to do some work for him at the Aviation Safety Branch at MOT. As always it was a pleasure dealing with him and sadly he left us all too soon.
Scott Thompson
March 4, 2013
Nancy and family,
I was very saddened to hear about Walter. Although I only met him a few times at our christmas parties, he always had a smile and kind word...a true gentleman. As you know Nancy, Walter will now be watching over you and your family.
Take care,
Scott Thompson
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John Wenek
March 4, 2013
To The Peters Family,
I knew your husband, father, grandfather and uncle while I was an officer-cadet at CMR de St. Jean.
As the squadron commander of Preston Squadron, he taught several introductory classes to the English-speaking cadets on life in the Canadian Armed Forces. He was a very likable, soft-spoken gentleman who won the admiration of his peers, as well as those of us who had recently joined the officer corps. The lessons he shared during the summer of 1973 have always served me well.
To the entire Peters family, know that Wally's spirit will remain alive in all the good memories that you keep close to your hearts. That is a reason to celebrate a life well-lived.
Harvey Toll
March 3, 2013
Shelley, Joe, Lauren, Matthew, no words can express the sadness you are experiencing with the loss of Walter. I think the best aspect of sport, has to be the great people we cross paths with. It is a pleasure knowing such an inspirational gentleman and his cherished family.
God Bless,
Harvey and Sari Toll
Patricia and Louis Dewan
March 3, 2013
Please accept our sincere condolences to the Peters Family!
March 2, 2013
GOD BLESS THE PETERS FAMILY.HE WAS A GREAT MAN.BEATRICE AND RAYMOND SIMMONS,HALIFAX,N.S.
Sheila & Victor Hearne
March 2, 2013
Nancy & family
I heard through Keith Hickman about Walter. I am so shocked. Unfortunately Victor and I are in Florida but our thoughts are with you all.
Susan Richardson
March 2, 2013
To the Peters Family;
My heartfelt condolences on the passing of Mr. Peters. I had the privilege of getting to know Wally when we both worked at Transport Canada. He was not only a true gentleman, but also intelligent and insightful, and I have good memories of our many conversations.
May your memories comfort you at this sad time.
Sincerely,
Susan Richardson
Rob Ruggles
March 2, 2013
On behalf of my family please accept our condolences on the passing of Walter. My first memory of hearing his name was when I joined army cadets when I was boy and we attended an Air Show in which the program showed his picture as one of the pilots for the Snowbirds...a proud moment for me. My mother, Betty Ruggles, (Percy Bailey's daughter) is Walter's first cousin and has fond memories of when he visited his Uncle Percy and Aunt Margaret. His life and career are shining examples of what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it. May God bless you all and see you through this difficult time.
Monique & Michel Poirier
March 1, 2013
Nancy ,
We are very sadened to hear of Walter's passing . You were the best neighbours one could ever wish for . Our sincere condolences .
Mary Lou Fleming Dewar
March 1, 2013
"Bubbles" and I were both students of Saint John High School and Mount Allison University, although he was 2 or 3 years behind me. I am so sorry to hear about his untimely passing. My condolences to his family. He was a wonderful example for all of us.
Art LaFlamme
March 1, 2013
Nancy and family,
Our sincerest sympathies. It was a shock to hear of Walter's untimely passing away. It was an honour for me to serve with Walter in the Air Force and at Transport Canada. I remember him as an excellent pilot and aviation safety professional who left a proud legacy. I apologize that I will not be able to attend as I am out of the country.
Zelma Buckley
March 1, 2013
Hi Shelley and family;
I am so sorry to learn of your dad's passing, he was a very nice person loved by so many. I will never forget the first time I met him (you both)and has been supporting us at the DVMAG ever since. He will be missed a lot.
Please extend my condolences to the rest of your family.
Zelma
mike lahaie
March 1, 2013
So sad to hear of Wally's passing. He had a great influence on me as he coached me in football at C.M.R. in 1970.
We had a pretty bad team, understandable given the number of students we had compared to the likes of Mcgill and Laval , but he taught us to never give up. I think we lost every game that year but our team kept hustling and working hard right to the end. He got transferred before the fall of 1971 so I never saw him again but his memory lives on. One of the things I remember the most was how he treated his players, like men. He would often walk with us to the dining hall after practice and talk to us about flying and his many experiences as one of Canada's first black jet pilots. He often would have us in stitches as well. He was dedicated hard working, and thought us what we needed to know.
Wally, you'll be missed but you made your mark.
Mike Lahaie 10430
March 1, 2013
Dear Shelley and family:
Shelley, I heard of your father's passing and my condolences to you and your family.
When I read his notice in the Citizen with his picture, I realized right away that I had the pleasure of spending over a year with Walter in French Language Training at the Carson Centre. We had many shared experiences over that period and I will always remember his kind and gentle demeanour. He was very much a gentleman and I am pleased to say I was a fellow classmate.
Bill Maxwell
March 1, 2013
We were so sorry to hear of Bub's passing from Eric. My husband, Fred Bailey, is a first cousin(Clarence's son). I had the great privilege of meeting him when I was helping his sister Matilda, just before she passed away. What an extraordinary man. A great loss to the Black community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the love you shared sustain you through this difficult time. God Bless, Fred and Linda Bailey
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