Peter Tassie died peacefully at his home in Coldstream, BC in the early hours of December 17, 2023 at the grand age of 96. A man of strength and many interests - Peter was a capable engineer, surveyor, author, volunteer, outdoor enthusiast, skier, planner, farmer, historian, bureaucrat, and unelected politician.
Peter was sadly predeceased by his loving wife Elizabeth "Libby" (nee Barclay) in 2019 after 64 years of marriage.
He is survived by his children Paul (Kim), Mary, Roger (Akhila), and Jane (Randy), grandchildren - Laura (Jordie Hein), Emma (Matt Forsyth), and Graham, Saagar, Anjali, and Mahan, and Caitlin (Matt) and Elise, and great granddaughter Freja. He also leaves cousins Bill Pearce and Frank Pearce and extended family primarily in Canada.
Peter was predeceased by his older brother Bill in 2016.
Peter was born on April 4, 1927, in Vernon to Gilbert and Adolphina "Phina" Tassie (nee Pearce). Both boys spent their formative years in Coldstream and Vernon working on the family orchard and enjoying the outdoors with vigour.
Peter attended Mrs. Heriot's private school, Coldstream Elementary School, and graduated from Vernon High School in 1944. He then ventured to Vancouver to study engineering at UBC, graduating with a BA in 1949, and a BASc in civil engineering in 1950.
Following graduation, Peter honed his engineering skills working on various civil projects in BC including the Kemano Generating Station project consequently earning his Professional Engineer designation and qualifications as a BC Land Surveyor and Dominion Land Surveyor (now Canada Land Surveyor).
In early 1953, Peter met Libby on a blind date. He was smitten, they married in 1955 and settled in Vernon where Peter joined his father's consulting engineering and land surveying practise. However, by the late 1960s Peter desire to be more involved in local land use decision making resulted in Peter, along with his family, returning to UBC where Peter graduated with an M.Sc. in Town Planning in 1970.
After several years living in Lethbridge and Saskatoon, Peter was pleased to return to Vernon as Planning Director for the Regional District of North Okanagan in 1974. Following retirement in 1992, Peter continued working well into his 90s as a consultant, completing his last project shortly before his death. He was emphatically proud of his public service.
Peter will be remembered as someone who wanted to and did make a difference in the health of his community and of others. Throughout his life in the north Okanagan, Peter was an active supporter of various projects and organizations including Rotary International, Sovereign Lake Nordic Club, Ribbons of Green Society, Okanagan Historical Society, O'Keefe Ranch, Abbeyfield House, and others.
Peter was intelligent and exceptionally pragmatic. Combined with his prodigious memory, he was a reliable source of knowledge for many, particularly the early days of the North Okanagan and the many people and events that shaped the communities of the area. He wrote and co-authored many articles of local interest including his recent publication Water from the Hills.
Peter valued physical activity and learning his entire life. He loved tending to his orchard and sharing its harvest, canoeing northern Saskatchewan rivers, hiking and backpacking the mountains of British Columbia, skiing the trails at Sovereign Lake, reading Canadiana especially Canadian history and explorers (his favourite being David Thompson), baking bread or dessert, bantering with others, and having a glass of sherry before supper with Libby.
In his later years, Peter enjoyed coffee and solving the world's problems with caregiver Monique and neighbour Molly. He fondly looked forward to meals and time with his companion, Patricia Hesketh.
Right up until a few days before his death, he would read the Globe & Mail daily, complete the Sudoku and other puzzles, or read from any of his many books stacked on the kitchen table. Peter always welcomed guests for coffee or tea as he was happy to discuss many topics and was generous in sharing his knowledge.
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