3160 PEERS, John Michael
Peers, John Michael– 83, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family May 29th, 2013 at White Hills Long Term Care Centre in Hammonds Plains. Born February 7, 1930, in New Westminster, B.C., he was the eldest son of the late Captain A.F. Peers, O.B.E., R.C.N. and Edwina Peers. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn (Tackaberry), daughters Linda Peers and Anne Hebb (David) and granddaughter Chelsea Hebb, all of Halifax. Dear brother of Alice Bowie (Michael), Kelowna, B.C., Veronica Hawkins (Ian) of Bristol, England, and sister-in-law, Solange Peers of Elliott Lake, Ontario. He was predeceased by his brother David Peers. He is fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graduate of St. George’s School in Vancouver and of the Canadian Services College Royal Roads in Victoria, he took further studies at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich, England. His first appointment to H.M.C.S. Ontario took him around South America, a unique trip designed to promote trade with Canada and which began his many years of service with the Royal Canadian Navy. It was while he was a Training Officer at HMCS Cornwallis that he met and married the love of his life, Marilyn. On retirement in 1973, he joined the provincial civil service and held positions as Personnel Officer with the Department of Natural Resources and with the Department of Municipal Affairs, retiring in 1995.
John and Marilyn had 55 happy years together, supporting each other and delighting in watching their two daughters grow up and in seeing his dear granddaughter, Chelsea, grow into a lovely young woman. John valued his family above all else. His favourite times were family trips to the Yukon, California, and Europe, and exploring the Nova Scotia coast in his yacht Nabus and camping and canoeing at the family property on the Musquodoboit River. His hobbies of studying rock formations, photography, and adding to his extensive collection of old Canadian coins, also gave him much pleasure over the years. He was an active community member, serving as President of St. Joseph’s Day Care Centre, being a lifetime Red Cross Blood Donor, and authoring the financial section of a 1966 brief to the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities which successfully led to the annexation of Rockingham to the City of Halifax.
Several years after retirement in 1995, John was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, which he accepted with courage and grace. He talked openly of his diagnosis and volunteered to participate in a related three year research study to test the effectiveness of medication .Following his wishes, his body has been gifted to Dalhousie University and the Maritime Brain Tissue Bank for the advancement of medical education and research. The family would like to thank his long time family doctor, Dr. Dieter Neu for his cheerful check-ups; Dr. Meehan and all the staff at White Hills Long Term Care Centre for their professional and compassionate care; Dr. Sultan Darvesh for his exceptional support during John’s journey with Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dr. Laurie Mallory and the PATH (Palliative and Therapeutic Harmonization) Program for so sensitively helping John and his loved ones with end of life decisions.
Donations in John’s memory may be made to the PATH Clinic, in care of the QEII Foundation, 1276 South Park Street, Room 104, Halifax, N.S. B3H 2Y9 (473-7932), or the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia,112-2717 Gladstone Street, Room 104, Halifax, N.S. B3K 0A4 ( 422-7961); or a charity of one’s choice.