Peter Taylor

A local icon has died, the ‘flag man of 2nd Ave’ passed away on Wednesday afternoon, March 7th. This tough 91 year old spent the last few weeks in West Coast General Hospital, having lived independently “where the flags fly”, before that. His ‘love of country’ kept a Canadian flag on top year round, rain or shine.

Pete was born in Chapelhill, a few miles north of Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 25th, 1921. He was predeceased by his life partner Inge, younger brother Jim of Victoria, BC and sister Mary of Scotland. He is survived by step children Linda (Bill) Brown of Port Alberni, Josephine Tomac of Surrey BC, nieces Mandy and Moira of Scotland, nieces Darlene of Courtenay and Debbie of Nanaimo. Also special friend Bunty Knight of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Pete immigrated to Canada in 1948, spending time in Ontario and Saskatchewan before settling in Port Alberni, finding work in the woods at Great Central camp, leaving there to work as a fork lift driver at the MacMillan Bloedel Plywood plant until his retirement.

Pete was known by many and liked by most. His blue and white Chevy Van with the Canadian flag in the window, was his trademark of a man always exploring. He was a very social individual and was always on the go, keeping up with what was happening in town. He was both endeared and feared at city hall, where he was never reluctant to offer a piece of his strong mind. Many folks labelled him ‘the mayor of 2nd Avenue. He loved fishing and his original flag pole went up because he found a use for a surplus salmon troller pole - proudly, he wanted to fly the Canadian flag. And every summer, his garden had about the best tomatoes in town.

After losing his right to drive a couple of years ago, he spent most of his time home-bound, watching his beloved ‘Manchester United’ and ‘Vancouver Canucks’ come ever so close but not quite winning the ‘cup’. His profound love of Canada leaving him with an intense shame at seeing the barbarians breaking up Vancouver after that final loss.

He had a premonition that this was to be his last year. While looking out his window at the waterfront with the Comox glacier as a backdrop, he confided in me that he didn’t expect to see his Canucks in the playoffs again. He was right.

And though he now can’t say it himself, he’d give a special thanks Lynette, Frank, Jim and Linda for care and consideration in his final years. And thanks also to numerous others, who helped, both with deliveries and visits that made his shut-in life tolerable those final years.

His friends are invited to a celebration of Pete’s life at his home, to be held March 17th, Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Cremation has taken place. Stories and condolences may be forwarded by visiting www.chapelofmemories.ca

May you rest in peace, old friend.