Peter Adrian Van de Laar

1942 - 2022
After a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Peter Van de Laar passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 6, two days shy of his 80th birthday. Peter is survived by his wife of 55 years, Cathy (nee Sneek), son Chris (Laura), daughter Dianne (David) Valentim, grandchildren Erica (Phil) Blythe, Nathan, Mark, Nicole, Scott, great grandson Andrew and predeceased by grandson Andrew. Peter is the brother of Frank (late Marlene, Mary), Harry (Willy), late John (Mary), late Bill (late Margo), Ted (late Donna), late Maria. Brother-in-law of Jack (Julie), late Riet and Cor, late Tony and Cathy, Surviving Cathy, Nick (late Cobie) Anne (late Hank), Joe (late Margaret), Nell (Gerry), Paul (Rita), John (Jane), Ronnie (Larry), Frank (Paula), Margaret (George), Jerry (Carla). Fondly remembered by many nephews and nieces, friends and their families. Peter was a lifelong fruit and grape grower in NOTL and proud to be one of the Pioneers of the Ontario grape industry, having planted some of the first Chardonnay and Gamay vines in the 1970's. He was an excellent grower who was proud of the high-quality grapes he produced that were used in many award-winning wines under the Inniskillin and Jackson Triggs labels. He was rewarded for his hard work by being crowned Grape King in 1985. Farming was his love and passion and even in retirement, he was always looking for an errand to run or a project to complete. Peter had a very active and enviable life outside of the farm with his best friend and loving wife, Cathy, cheering on his children and grandchildren in their various sports and was an Icedogs Season Ticket holder since their inception. He was a morning regular at the McDonald's "coffee shop" where he developed some great friendships. Pete and Cathy played cards regularly with family and friends, and together they were avid travelers, having completed many "bucket list" vacations to Hawaii, Antarctica, the Amazon, Russia, Iceland, the Nordic Region, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, to name just a few. In Peter's memory, donations can be made to NOTL Palliative Care or McMaster Children's Hospital, Neuromuscular Clinic. The family will receive guests on Sunday December 11, 2022, at 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., at MORGAN FUNERAL HOME, 415 Regent Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake. Prayers will be at 3:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday December 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 73 Picton Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake. An inurnment will take place at Lakeshore Cemetery at a later date.
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com