Victor Oswald Branch

1932 - 2022

Peacefully died at Peterborough Regional Health Centre, on Friday, January 7, 2022, at the age of 89. He was born at Stony Hill, Port Antonio, Jamaica, West Indies, on March 6, 1932, to parents Clifford S. and Margaret E. Branch. He was a retired qualified Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario, Canada. He attended with honours and distinction Titchfield Secondary School and St. George's College, Jamaica, 1944-1951, and attended the Regent Street University of Westminster, London, England, 1952-1956. An extraordinarily successful student, he was the first-place medalist in 3rd and 4th years in Civil Engineering. He worked diligently, effectively, and productively for the Jamaica Government, 1958-1965, as Executive Engineer & Assistant Chief Engineer, and for various consulting engineering firms in England and Canada. He also planned, created, designed and constructed numerous major and complex civil, municipal, structural, and water engineering projects for Jamaica, Metro Toronto, Calgary, Hamilton (this water treatment plant project won Canada's Governor-General medal for engineering excellence in 1973); these projects are still serving and benefitting their communities, an accomplishment of which Victor was very proud. He was the dedicated father of Anne-Marie Branch, Fiona C. Wright, Dawn A. Scott; and loving grandfather of Gregory Scott, Sasha Wright, and Matthew Wright, and doting great-grandfather of Theodore Scott and Lucy Scott. And he was devoted spouse of Pauline Carmel Ayotte (deceased 2007), whom he is now with in eternity. Victor was an exemplary, patient, and successful volunteer youth soccer coach in Ontario and Alberta, 1978-1992: and Peterborough District Soccer Referee 2001-2013. Victor was a devout Roman Catholic and a committed volunteer in Catholic Church missions for seniors and the needy; a pillar of the Peterborough community; and a generous donor to numerous humanitarian organizations worldwide, such as World Vision, Development and Peace, Missionaries for the Poor Jamaica and CPAWS. He was a gifted, stylish, and exquisite champion cricket batsman at Titchfield Secondary School in 1948 to 1950, and was a devotee of all types of athletics and sports. An avid reader of daily newspapers, biographies, religion, history, and sports books, he prided himself on being astute and well informed, as well as a keen observer of local, provincial, federal and international politics, civic affairs and world events. He loved many genres of music, and was spiritually inspired by nature, particularly water. His cherished memories included visiting Rome (Italy), the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica and Square, and St. Peter's crypt, with his grandson Gregory, in 2011. Friends will be received at the HIGHLAND PARK FUNERAL CENTRE 2510 Bensfort Rd., Peterborough on Sunday, January 16, 2022, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at ST. ANNE'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH 859 Barnardo Ave., Peterborough on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Covid-19 restrictions are in place, face coverings are mandatory and reservations to attend both the Visitation and Funeral Mass can be made by visiting Victor's obituary on the Highland Park Funeral Centre Website. Only those with a reservation will be permitted. Interment to follow at Little Lake Cemetery. A celebration of Victor's life will also take place later this year when circumstances allow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of Victor's favorite charities: World Vision, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society or Canadian Cancer Society. Finally, Victor's family and friends give their deepest and sincere thanks and gratitude to the many doctors, nurses, assistants for the exemplary attention and service provided in the final months of Victor's life. Online condolences may be made at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com