from Kathy

  I've had quiet afternoon recalling memories of our Pete  -  the earliest is of Pete & Austin being tanned on the backside by Mum for leaving Mary & I in a very leaky tent on the Greenhill in Egremont in the middle of tremendous thunder storm while all the boys ran for cover.  Mrs. Williamson (a neighbour) who came looking for her own son  brought us home like drowned rats.

Pete doing a take off of BILL & BEN THE FLOWER POT MEN one of the early UK children's T.V. characters  -he kept us in stitches laughing at his antics.

After I passed the scholarship to the same high school he went to over in New Brighton - he asked me not to speak to him - on the bus or at school -it was not cool to have a younger sister at your school.  and for two years i didn't until the time he got a crush on one of my classmates.  then he bribed me for an introduction.

Meeting him at Oshawa railway station in 1960 and hearing for the first time of his beloved Beatles and the Cabin in Liverpool where they sang - it was several years before they became very popular I think around 62/63.

Of him buying his first car probably later in that year - a huge late model bright yellow Chevrolet with those very large wing shapes at the back . he was like a kid who'd just discovered Christmas.

Having dinner with him at Westmoreland Avenue before we both took off for overseas - him South Africa and me to Australia - Aunty Frances and Uncle Jack came over and Pete tried to pass my friend Myra off as the maid

Then of course he walked me down the aisle and gave me away on my wedding day - I'm not sure who was more nervous, me or him I know we were both shaking  - this was after he had rescued Aunty Mary from a locked bathroom - he and Ed's dad knocked down the door.

He beat us to the punch at parenthood by two days.(Phillip) Alex being two days older than our Neil.   I recall him taking these two fishing in Hungry Hollow creek just below our Irwin Crescent home.  He also came up to Kincardine with his friend John to fish in Saugeen River  in 77 when we briefly lived there - sitting at the kitchen table making his own flys.

I remember Xmas pudding made by Mum with wrapped silver coins - always a bit nervous that the kids would swallow them by mistake - however Uncle Pete topped the lot when he pulled car keys and wallets and all kinds of things out of the pudding.  the kids were fascinated the Uncle Peter could do magic.

Many memories  but non sweeter than seeing him last year at Mary's.  I Know it was a bad time for her and Beaux I missed all the drama and I'm so glad I had the opportunity of seeing him once more.  Rest  in peace dear brother

  I feel better for having written it - my farewell.       Kath