December 22, 1919-October 15, 2013
After a rich and full life, at the age of 93, prominent Charlottetown entrepreneur and Second World War veteran, Pete Paton, passed away peacefully on October 15, at the Palliative Care Unit of the Prince Edward Home.
He was born in 1919 and was predeceased by his much-loved wife and companion of 47 years, Eileen (Gorham); his parents, Lt. Colonel Rowland Paton and Margaret Alison (Peters) Paton; and sister, Katherine Brown (Nickerson) Paton.
He will be sadly missed by his children Christine (Rick Cunjak), Anna (Ian Tillard), Valerie, Caroline (Karl Brunjes), and Hugh (Jill). Pete was a very special Grandad to 13 grandchildren, Kyle (Michelle Yorke), Leah, and Katherine Cunjak, Gillian and Elsbeth Tillard, Natalie (Alex MacFadyen) and Grace Sullivan, Hugh Landymore and Avery Bruenjes, and Samuel, Benjamin, Geoffrey, and Victoria Paton, and to great-granddaughter Madeline Sullivan.
Born in Charlottetown, P.E.I., Pete was educated at St. Peters Church School, West Kent School, and Rothesay Collegiate. His expansive business career began in 1938 when he became a bond salesman with Royal Securities Ltd. in Charlottetown. He enlisted in the Canadian Army during the Second World War and served in Canada and overseas, returning as Captain in 1945.
Immediately after the war, at age 26, he created Associated Foods Ltd., a tuna packing plant in Fox Point, N.S., where he produced Ocean Gold canned tuna, a first in Atlantic Canada. In 1948, he joined in the purchase and was President of the Industrial Shipping Company in Mahone Bay, N.S., which built boats and motor vessels. In 1950, Pete sold his interest in the company, married Eileen, and they moved to Toronto where he established Paton Corporation to undertake the buying and selling of industrial companies.
Pete served as a director and president on a number of boards including president of Great West Saddlery Ltd., Brandon Packers, Gateway Packers Ltd., St. Adeles Lodge, Goldsmiths Ltd, Chappells Ltd., and the George H. Hees Ltd.
In 1968, Pete returned to P.E.I. with his wife and young children where he established Tidewater Seafoods Inc. with plants in Victoria, Murray Harbour and Charlottetown, and later created and built the first commercial lobster aquaculture operation in North America, Marine Lobster Farms. He was also involved in development of commercial real estate and restaurant operations.
Pete was a great-great-grandson of Sir Samuel Cunard, and he spent many retirement hours researching and writing about his life. Pete was a member of St. Peter's Cathedral, where he served as financial warden and manager of St. Peter's Publications until 2009. Pete founded St. Peter's Church archives, in which he continued to participate until 2011. He was also a member of the Royal Commonwealth Society, and the Probus Club of Charlottetown and the Royal N.S. Yacht Squadron.
Pete leaves to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, a rich and full family legacy, and many wonderful memories.
Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel. Funeral Tuesday from St. Peter's Cathedral at 10 a.m. Interment in St. Peter's Anglican Cemetery. If so desired, memorials to St. Peter's Cathedral Memorial Fund or the Palliative Care Unit of the Prince Edward Home would be appreciated. Visiting hours Monday from 3-6 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com.
The family would like to thank Sheila Stapleton, Pete's special caregiver and family friend, Dr. Mireille Lecours and her team, and the caregivers and staff who looked after him at Andrews of Stratford.

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