Peter O’Callaghan White, of Caribou Shores, died Monday March 9, 2009 at the Halifax Infirmary.
Born in Stellarton on September 26, 1933, he was the only child of the late James and Agnes (O’Callaghan) White.
A graduate of St. F.X. University, Peter was a teacher and school administrator, having taught at Pictou Academy and later at Trenton High School before becoming principal at Trenton High School and Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Trenton. He became the first CEO of the Pictou District following amalgamation of the towns and county school system in Pictou County. A former member of the St. F.X. University Board of Govenors, on his retirement he was recognized for his professional achievements by being named an honorary life member of the Canadian Administrators Association.
Peter was most proud of his family and extended family, and he took great joy in spending time with them and his friends. He was happiest when he was playing the piano while someone sang, something he fortunately got to do in countless places and with so many different people throughout his lifetime.
He was committed to his career in education and devoted to the people in his life, but was able to see the humour in every situation and was an unrepentant tease.
Peter is survived by his wife, Jean (Brown) Sloan; daughters, Kathy Thompson (Leonard), Patty Field, both of Stellarton; sons: Jim (Linda), Dartmouth; Pete (Dianne), Plymouth Park; Paul (Ronda), Napean, Ontario; Robbie, Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam; step-children: Michael Sloan, Ontario; Jim Sloan (Sheila), Stellarton; Elizabeth (Scott) Gillis, Saint John, NB; Judy (Findlay) Beaton, Woodstock, NB; Jeannie Sloan, Halifax; 23 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Isabel “Bunnie” White (nee Skidmore); half-sisters: Jean, Jessie, Annie; and a half-brother, Bill.
Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the H.C. MacQuarrie Funeral Home, Stellarton. Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Friday from Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Stellarton with Father Peter MacDonald officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall.
No flowers by request of the family. Donations in Peter’s memory may be made to the Aberdeen Hospital Foundation, the QEII Foundation, the VON or to Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church.
Online condolences may be sent to angusfuneral@ns.sympatico.ca