Peter Kerr

Strong as an ox and stubborn as a bull, Pete fought cancer with strength, positivity and courage right up to his final breath.

Gone too soon, his legacy will live on through his deep appreciation of the outdoors; his admirable character and work ethic; and the meaningful relationships he had which left a lasting impact on nearly everyone he met.

Peter loved being outdoors – although he was a hunter and fisherman, what he loved most was just being in nature and observing wildlife. He spent many years doing just that in Quetico Park, including a 30-day solo kayaking trip visiting every park entry point, and many summer camping trips with his wife and children. He was always “puttering” around the family home at Lerome Lake – he never considered it work, and would always say “I love this, I’m just puttering”. His vision of making Lerome “park like” will be a legacy his family continues for years to come.

Peter’s character was best demonstrated through his actions – he believed strongly in integrity and led by example. He was incredibly determined, which served him well when he returned to high school as an adult learner and continued on to complete a degree in Civil Engineering at Lakehead University. Throughout his career he was a respected engineer and mentor to many, having a great impact at his places of employment: Lakehead University, the Town of Atikokan, and Ontario Power Generation (Atikokan GS, Otto Holden, Kenora and Ear Falls Service Centres). Beyond his career, he was the embodiment of small town, volunteering on the minor hockey board, coaching minor hockey and ringette, refereeing hockey, and grooming trails for Beaten Path Nordic Trails (otherwise known as the “adventures of Pete and Scott”). Most importantly, his positive attitude, the twinkle in his eye, and his unforgettable belly laugh were infectious, serving as a reminder for those around him to enjoy life to the fullest.

For a man who claimed to have a small circle of friends, you couldn’t go anywhere without him running into “an old friend”. This was the truest representation of the importance of relationships to him – he was genuinely interested in people, believing strongly in the powers of kindness and human connection.

His fierce love and support for his family was undeniable. He loved visiting with his parents, “Guzzy and Poppy”, often sharing stories for hours. He held strong bonds with his Kerr and Gibson cousins right into adulthood. His tight family unit – Leslie, Lindsay, and Mitch – spent a lot of time together over the years, never tiring of each other’s company and always appreciating the strong relationships he cultivated. Pete especially enjoyed family dinners and had a love for experimenting in the kitchen. Beyond a fantastic meal, many memories were made sitting around the dining room table. In his last year, he had an incredibly special bond with his “buddy Miles”, his grandson who brought him so much joy, and provided stories that will be cherished for years to come.

Together for longer than they were apart, Peter shared his life with his wife Leslie, whom he was deeply supportive of. He stood proudly by her as a stay-at-home-mom, entrepreneur, and later through her executive curling career.

A challenging goodbye for all, Peter Sadler Kerr lived a full life and is survived by his wife Leslie; children Lindsay (Ariel), Mitchell (Allie), and Mellisa (Rob); his mother Mary; siblings (David and Paul); grandchildren (Casey, Reed, Miles and Petra); brother in law Brad (Rose), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

May the spirit of Peter live on through the outdoors, lessons on integrity and work ethic, and the powerful bond of human connection.

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”. – A.A. Milne, The House on Pooh Corner

Thank you to the staff at the TBRHSC – Cancer Care, the Emergency and Acute Care staff at AGH, Dr. Vaghadia, and the EMT staff who were all so kind to Pete and our family in his final days.

Due to Covid restrictions, a memorial service will not be held. Should you wish, donations to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation or TBHRSF Northern Cancer Fund in Peter’s memory would be appreciated.