Peter Reiss

The world lost a beautifully caring heart on the 19th of November, 2024. With never an unkind word spoken nor hurtful act made in his more than 100 years, Peter Reiss lived an honourable, compassionate and purposeful life. Although born in small Kendal, Saskatchewan, his career in the Canadian Air Force (both during war time and peace time) took him to both Canadian coasts and to many cities in-between. He was an aircraft electrician during World War II, beginning at the age of 19 and later found himself working at Conair in Abbotsford, managing the maintenance of forest-fire-fighting aircraft, with a highlight being working on the Snowbirds. He found great enjoyment in learning all that he could about various aerial equipment and then sharing such knowledge with anyone who asked about his career. Thoughtfully retiring a few months before his 65th birthday, to ensure that an employee returning from maternity leave had an opening at Conair, he had even more time for his large and resilient vegetable and flower gardens, for fostering extremely troubled children and for dehydrating buckets of fruit to share with his extended family. He applied his outstanding work ethic to all aspects of his life, relishing in challenges and responsibilities that crossed his path. Peter was always willing to lend a hand to his neighbours, to his family and to charitable organizations through his church, even traveling to Kenya to build much needed structures. He was incredibly generous, requiring a notebook to keep track of the charities to which he regularly donated. Peter brought out the best in everyone around him, including his fellow residents at Chartwell Cedarbrooke Retirement Residence in Mission, where he spent his last fifteen years, following the passing of his beloved wife of fifty-five years, Margott (2009, age 82). He is also predeceased by his mom, Mary (2002—age 104 years), his father, George (1969, age 74 years), his sister, Kay (2003, age 80 years) and his dear Cedarbrooke friend, Doris (2021). He is survived by his sister-in-law, Heidi Boldt (Alfred) and his brother-in-law, Len Brice and their families. Uncle Pete has forever etched his comical sweetness into the hearts of his nephews, Don Schmidt (Joan), Harv Schmidt (Linda), his great-nephews, Sam Schmidt, Sonny Schmidt, Jess Schmidt (Alyssa), his great-nieces, Jodi Murphy (Dan), Jenn Mooney (Scott) and Jackie Burden (Colin) as well as his twelve great-great-nephews and nieces…Evan, Ella, Jade, Jordyn, Jake, Reiss, Rhaya, Lennix, Ryder, Gavin, Xavier and Caspian. Every holiday, every family dinner and every backyard games’ competition was made better by G-G Uncle Pete’s incredible wit, sincerity and genuine appreciation for food, especially dessert. Before he left for the evening, each of the twenty or so family members would line up for their individual goodbye hug with Uncle Pete, as he addressed them by name…impressive for even a fifty-year-old.

Whether it be yearly blueberry picking, attending a rodeo or going to the Abbotsford Air Show, Peter was always willing to try anything and to go along for the ride. He was fiercely independent, not wanting to impose or trouble anyone and took a genuine interest in the lives of everyone he spoke with—remembering their conversations, inquiring about their jobs, school, family and hobbies and never being judgemental about what they told him. He kept his life organized and balanced with taking care of his car, going to church on Sundays, sending yearly Christmas cards, walking a mile daily, baking blueberry pies, keeping in touch with family and friends on the phone, playing pool with his best friend, Charlie, keeping up-to-date with current happenings on the News, watching In the Heat of the Night and The Waltons every weekday, taking little shopping trips, spending time with his family and reading the Bible. Never complaining or argumentative, Peter adapted to whatever came his way—frequent uprooting in the Air Force, moving out of his dearly loved home in Hatzic after thirty years, the passing of numerous friends and needing to learn how to use a laptop to FaceTime family during a global pandemic; his respectfulness, calmness and deep belief in God kept his mood light and his life full in even the most challenging times.

In honour of Peter, please do something kind for someone, stay warm, watch a curling, baseball, hockey or football game, eat tomato basil soup with a mini bread-loaf or a steak dinner and have two helpings of dessert, especially if it is rice or tapioca pudding, apple pie, ice cream, fruit cake…pretty much anything that makes you smile.

We will forever keep you in our family traditions, Uncle Pete and feel incredibly grateful for having you inspire, humour and love us for so long. We are more empathetic, thoughtful and hopeful because of you and how you lived your life—a priceless legacy. In true Uncle Pete fashion, you patiently waited until we were all able to be with you, but not a moment longer, before peacefully leaving us to go pick blueberries in heaven. In Jesus’ name we pray…Amen.

A memorial service for Peter will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Woodlawn Mission Funeral Home, 7386 Horne Street, Mission, BC V2V3Y7.