Peter Cowperthwaite GODSOE

Peter Cowperthwaite Godsoe Peter Cowperthwaite Godsoe died on December 13, 2023, surrounded by his beloved wife and three children. Peter loved his family, friends, colleagues, community and country. Growing up in Toronto with three siblings, he enjoyed hockey, golf, pool, cards, and getting up to his fair share of trouble. He met the love of his life, Shelagh, in high school; married 60 years, he remained devoted to 'his bride' the entire time. Peter graduated with a BSc in Mathematics and Physics from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He spent his entire career at Scotiabank, rising from a teller to the Chairman and CEO. As Chairman and CEO, he shepherded the bank and its 40,000 employees spread across 30 countries to unparalleled success, growing it from the fifth largest to the second largest Canadian bank and the second largest Canadian company. He was also a leader in Canadian business more broadly, serving on the boards of numerous companies globally including Barrick Gold Corporation, Empire Company Limited, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Ingersoll-Rand Company, Lonmin PLC, Onex Corporation, Rogers Communications Inc., Sobeys Inc., and Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust. Among many awards and recognitions, Peter was awarded the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the Order of Jamaica, and was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. He also received honorary degrees from Concordia University, Dalhousie University, University of King's College, and University of Western Ontario. Peter was renowned for his push for equality, immense generosity, and sense of fun. Peter intentionally hired women, people of color and non-Christians, and led numerous clubs and associations he was part of into more integration - something not common in the 1970s, '80s, or even '90s. His generosity is legendary - whether it was serving his community as Chancellor of the University of Western Ontario, on the boards of Mt. Sinai Hospital, the Canadian Opera Company and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, or simply meeting with a recent college graduate interested in finance. Peter had time for everyone, listening intently and offering encouragement and sound advice. Making connections with everyone he met was really his superpower; we continue to hear about his personal greetings and kindnesses to so many. It is really hard to imagine how he found the time! But he did, and still had plenty of time for family and fun. Gregarious with a self-deprecating and humble sense of humour, Peter was a crack pool, hearts and craps player. The consummate family man, he loved to spend time with Shelagh, watching James Bond movies, listening to - or dancing enthusiastically to - Neil Diamond, and travelling to almost 100 countries together. He taught and supported his children in so many ways - with their careers, relationships, and through life's ups and downs. He kept his cheer and unflappable practicality on a dozen family car trips to Nova Scotia and Florida (from Toronto!!), where he captained a 'bounceball' team with kids and family friends. More recently, Peter embraced time with his five grandchildren with characteristic enthusiasm: fishing, golfing, playing croquet and darts, watching endless plays in the Simcoe cottage basement, and taking them for ice cream daily or to an indoor waterpark annually. Peter's was truly a life well lived - he loved and was loved immensely, he always gave more than he took, and he impacted so many lives for the better. He will be dearly missed by so many, especially great love and best friend, Shelagh; children, Craig Godsoe (Charles Melanson), Eden Godsoe (Jim King) and Cynthia Godsoe; grandchildren, Jonas Pitt, Kellan King, Mirabelle Pitt, Chapel King and Sebastian Pitt; as well as sister, Valerie Godsoe; sister-in-law, Dale Godsoe; nieces and nephews, Suzanne Godsoe, Stacey Godsoe, Laura Godsoe and Derek Delost; and so many friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his parents, Gerry and Margaret Godsoe; brother, Gerald Godsoe; sister, Jane Delost; and brother-in-law, Ed Reburn. Thank you to Mt. Sinai and St. Michael's Hospitals for your excellent care. Special thank you to Shirley McFee, Shawn Crawford and Carol Brydges for always being there for Peter and the Godsoe family. We will share more information about a celebration of Peter's life to be held in Toronto in late Spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Mt. Sinai Hospital or a Charity of Your Choice.