COLE, Peter Leslie

December 8, 1929 to July 12, 2024 and just like that, 94.5 years have passed by in a flash.
Peter loved life and his wife of 69 years Ruth Cole who passed away April 2021. Both born in the same hospital in Plymouth, England, however 3 years apart they met years later working at the British Post Office.

Growing up Peter had scarlet fever and never received any vaccinations until he joined the British Airforce in 1948. Peter then joined the Admiralty and worked for the Navel Attache with a posting to Bonn, Germany. Working for the British Civil Service, they lived in Somerset and London before joining the Foreign Office. Postings continued to Ankara Turkey, East Berlin Germany (with daughter Helen attending the British Army school in West Berlin with her passport, crossing over at Check Point Charlie on school days). Diagnosed with Hemochromatosis, South Africa was deemed not safe for his condition, so Syndey and Canberra in Australia were the next postings.

Retired at 50, the family moved to Canada to be closer to UK relatives, first visiting British Columbia, and New Brunswick before deciding to settle in Ontario close to Cousin Irene. Peter became a Canadian citizen first, then was sworn in again with Ruth and Helen.

Working first with GO Trains, Peter then spent many happy years working at the British Consulate General in downtown Toronto making lifelong friends along the way.

Retired for a second time at aged 64, Peter and Ruth traveled extensively, enjoyed lunches out, taking care of 2 Cairn Terriers, listening to music, and keeping up on current affairs. Playing darts at the Aurora Legion on Monday evenings was a true passion for Peter and in later years with son in law David. Large, cooked breakfasts out at local diners also took center stage once Ruth was no longer able to dine out. Peter also welcomed over 14 service dogs in training into his home with daughter Helen fostering them and he loved each one of them! Including COPE Allan who visited daily at the hospital, where they gave each other kisses at the beginning and end of every visit.

In and out of hospital for several different health complications over the years, Peter never complained even while looking after Ruth with dementia and he adapted to each new medical situation with a strong will to live. Peter was happy to have the Canadian Healthcare system look out for him, even if they didn’t always get it right, they saved him many times over. Peter’s mind remained razor sharp until the end with newspaper puzzles, crib and since COVID Wordscape!
Peter will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially this daughter Helen, son in law David, sister Dorothy, brother Andy and niece Kay.

A service will be held in September. Donations can be made to COPE Service Dogs, Heart and Stroke, or Kidney clothes. Thank you for reading, Peter was a true British Gentleman (a Top Chap) to the very end.