George Peter MacQueen

George Peter MacQueen, or "Peter," as he was known to friends and family, passed away on May 12th, 2024, at the age of 77. Joining him in death, and in our family's collective hearts, is Peter's longtime girlfriend, Julie Robin O'Shea.
Peter was born to Lucille Marie MacQueen (nee Keyeux) and George William MacQueen in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia in 1946. Ten years later, his brother, James William MacQueen, arrived and completed their family. They lived in Canada until the untimely death of George Sr., after which, the family relocated to Los Angeles, California.
The City of Angels was a perfect fit for Peter, as he was musically gifted and had a performer's soul. Throughout the 1960s and '70s, Peter drummed and jammed with many different bands, spending countless evenings playing gigs up and down Sunset Blvd.
It was at a gig that he met his eventual wife, Catherine Kale. Peter spotted the beautiful California girl in the audience, and, for her part, Cathy told her friend that she had eyes for the drummer. They would go on to be married for 30 years and have one child, Kristin, before going their separate ways.
In the 1980s, Peter transitioned from a career in music to a new role as a small business owner. His strong work ethic as a performer carried over into his business, and he built a successful heavy equipment rental company. Owning and operating Eagle Water Truck Service, Inc. was both his project and his passion, and, despite being 77-years-old, he chose to work until the very weekend he passed away.
Peter's golden years weren't all work and no play, however. Play, he did! Being semi-retired gave him extra time to watch Dodger games and his grandson's Little League games, and to pick back up his drum set and join a band.
As the drummer for the band, Smokin' Jack Primo, Peter brought rhythm, true musicianship, and a wealth of experience to SJP and the local live music scene in Tehachapi, CA, where he lived. His loving girlfriend, Julie, accompanied him to gigs -- lighting up the room with her smile, and of course, her dancing skills while the band played on.
Peter and Julie complemented each other nicely as a couple and they would sometimes perform together at local events; he as a drummer, she as a talented bagpipe player. They also shared a love of Harley Davidson motorcycles, and would regularly go for rides throughout Kern County. The day that they tragically passed away, they had been doing exactly what they both respectively loved; riding their Harley trike through Kern Canyon.
Though they are physically gone, their memories live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved them.
Peter MacQueen is survived by his daughter, Kristin Claudine; son-in-law, Justin; grandchildren, Brooklyn Catherine and Camden Nicholas; brother, James (Jim); sister-in-law, Gayle; niece, Jayme; and former spouse, Catherine. He is predeceased by his mother, Lu; father, George; and his girlfriend, Julie.