Peter George Alexander

Peter George Alexander
November 2, 1946 - June 30, 2023
Peter George Alexander passed away in the early hours of June 30, 2023 at the age of 77. He died peacefully in his own room, wearing his own well-worn t-shirt, with his family all around him and the first morning birds chirping outside the window. Exactly how he would have wanted. Though he lost much of his mobility in his final weeks, he never lost his sense of humor - making the nurses laugh as long as he could speak, and cracking smiles at his daughter's jokes up until the day before he died.
He wasn't a religious guy (he stopped going to church as a kid because it conflicted with his bowling league) but I think even Peter would agree, whatever creator made him, truly "broke the mold" after he was born on November 2, 1946 in Victoria, BC to the late John Alexander and Clarebelle Peters. The youngest of four, Peter was raised primarily by his father and staunch Scottish grandparents. His formative years were shaped by frugality and cheap mischief (two values he would carry with him until the end). He attended Doncaster elementary, Lansdowne Junior High and graduated from Mt. Douglas in 1964. During this time he was an officer in the Air Force cadets and even thought about becoming a fighter pilot like his late uncle and namesake, Peter Alexander, who was killed in action during WWII.
At 18 he met the love of his life, Maureen Penman, at the tennis courts on Carnarvon Street. Maureen instantly fell for this, 'incredibly shy guy who seemed to have no idea how handsome he was'. She rushed home to tell her mother she just met the man of her dreams, only to have Peter walk by their window moments later, tennis racket wrapped around his neck, strings dangling. In classic fashion, his tennis partner had gotten fed up with Peter's insults and broke his racket over Peter's head. Needless to say, Maureen's mother was not impressed.
After high school Peter decided he might give university a go, after all it was only a 10 minute walk from his house and easier than working. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Math from UVic in 1968, and followed it up with a year of teacher training, paying his way through school by working for a paving company. At the time his idea of a "big date" was to load up his car with arsenic and take Maureen along to kill weeds in the area they planned to pave the next day.
In 1969 he began his 33.5 year career in education at Booth Memorial Junior High in Prince Rupert as a math teacher and boys counsellor for 225 boys. In 1970, at the age of 23, he married Maureen and both newlyweds ended up teaching in "Rupert" for the next two years (their first marital home a $65/month apartment with no heat). Then in 1972, thanks to a very serendipitous meeting between the Principal of Mt. Prevost Junior High and Peter's late father-in-law, George Penman, Peter landed a job as a math teacher at Mt. Prevost - bringing Maureen and Peter back to Vancouver Island for good.
If you grew up in the Cowichan Valley and are between the ages of 34 and 64, chances are you either had Mr. Alexander as a principal or knew someone who did. His career took him to Mt. Prevost, Alexander Elementary, Bench Elementary, Quamichan Middle School, George Bonner Middle School (where his two sons were his students), back to Mt. Prevost, and finally back to Quamichan until his retirement. 'Grey Squirrel' was a thoughtful administrator who gained the respect of students and staff alike. It was reported on one of his teacher reviews that "Mr. Alexander has a quiet manner" - which is exactly what he would have wanted you to think so you wouldn't see his pranks coming
He loved a good joke ('What did the 1000 pound canary say?') as much as a bad joke ('What did one mushroom say to the other mushroom?') and could dish it out as well as he could take it - yes, I'm referring to the great office chair saga of '93. His long career was marked by endless pranks, epic staff parties, poker nights, and "Ralph's Tours" (the events of which still remain a mystery).
Though his colleagues and countless students were lucky to have him as their principal, no one was luckier to have him in their lives than his three kids: Clinton, Derrick and Michelle. Peter had no real role model for parenting growing up but still managed to become the best Dad anyone could hope for. He always treated each of his kids in their own special way. Somehow making all three feel like his "favourite" at the same time.
Growing up in Peter's house was never dull. Whether it was strapping both eight and nine-year old Derrick and Clinton into the front seat of his MGB convertible to go to Expo 86 in Vancouver, or letting three-year-old Michelle tag along to the school dances at George Bonner - he always put his kids first. He made time for every hockey game, school play, awards ceremony, and ski trip. As his kids grew into adults, Peter met the different life paths and life partners they chose with curiosity, openness and pride. He wasn't just their ever-loving father, he was one of their best friends.
One of Peter's goals was to retire early and "live the good life", which he achieved in 2003, retiring at the age of 56. And although he was diagnosed with Parkinson's just one year before his retirement, he didn't let that stop him from enjoying it. He spent his golden years traveling, watching his beloved Canucks lose again and again, and riding his bike along Dallas Road as long as his body would let him.
His patience, kindness and often 'warped' sense of humor will be greatly missed by his wife of over 52 years, Maureen Beverly Alexander, his children, Clinton John Alexander (Angie Muirhead), Derrick Clayton Alexander (Catherine Alexander) and Michelle Elizabeth Kimberley Alexander (Daniel Stewart) as well as his grandchildren, Liam, Mason and Caden.
The family is forever grateful to his doctor Dr. Grymaloski, the entire home care team at Island Health, and the respite team at Harmony Healthcare. We couldn't have made it through the past few months without you.
No flowers, please. He was never one for a fuss (even publishing this sentimental obituary would have made him cringe). Seriously, what would have made Peter the happiest is for you to grab a coffee or a beer with a friend and reminisce about his long history of pranks, terrible jokes, and extraordinary ability to always look for the good in this life (and find the humor in everything else).
If you would like to do something in Peter's name, the family is asking for donations to , , or the .
If you knew Peter, you know there are more 'Peter stories' then any sane publication will allow space to tell them. Which is why we're holding a Celebration of his Life from 1:00 - 4:00pm on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 296 Mill Bay Road, Mill Bay, BC. Dress comfortably. Peter despised formality and would be quietly annoyed if you showed up in a suit. In true 'Mr. Alexander' fashion, a plaid shirt and well-worn khaki's should be as dressy as it gets.
He never liked "funerals" and probably wouldn't have wanted us to go to the trouble. But really it's his own fault for being such a loving father, doting husband, incredible teacher, mentor and friend. As his long time colleague, John Russell, put it at Peter's surprise retirement party, "There will be no quiet sailing away into the sunset."
To share a memory of Peter, send a condolence or inquire about his Celebration of Life
please email
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Sands Funeral Chapel - Duncan. 250-746-5212