It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Benjafield report his passing on June 28, 2014. He is survived by Jo, his wife of 58 years, sons Clive (Cathie) and Graham (Verona) and grandchildren Tanner, Quinn, Vanessa and Mateo.
Peter was born in England in 1930 where he trained and worked as a printer until he emigrated to Canada in 1952. He and Jo were married in Vancouver in 1955. From an early age Peter had a passion for boats. He was a Sea Scout in London and a proud member of the Discovery Crew on the Thames. He later was a Sea Scout leader in Vancouver and Pender Harbour. He always dreamed of making his living “mucking around in boats” and in 1961, after spending four years in Prince George, he and Jo bought Vic’s Boats & Bait, a tiny boat rental in Garden Bay. They spent the next 30 years gradually building and enlarging what became the Fisherman’s Resort and Marina. Peter was very community-minded and became a charter member of the Pender Harbour Lions Club in 1971. He worked on all their projects as time and business commitments allowed, his specialty being the egg cook at pancake breakfasts. Peter was the first chairman of the newly formed Pender Harbour Harbour Authority and during this time the Millennium Park project was undertaken. He was the cruisemaster of the Pender Harbour Power & Sail Squadron for several years and led many cruises in our coastal waters in his beloved 37’ O’Day, Maia Star, which he and Jo owned and enjoyed for 20 years. During 24 years of happy and fulfilling retirement, Peter and Jo travelled to many parts of the world, often on sailboats. Peter always had a book at hand and was greatly interested in local and world affairs. He loved to cook and was always ready for a party.
All through the years, Peter was a loving parent and good role model for his sons and grandchildren and a devoted and considerate husband to Jo. They will all be struggling to carry on now that he is gone. Peter was the first to say recently that he had been blessed with a wonderful life and had no regrets.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Seaside Centre in Sechelt on Thursday, July 17, at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Stephen Lewis Foundation through the Sunshine Coast Grandmothers and Grandothers would be appreciated.