Peter Wylie remembered
Saying goodbye to a good friend
By Bob Palmateer

Bob Palmateer delivered the eulogy for former resident and councillor Peter Wylie, who passed away abroad recently. Here are some of his sentiments.

Trying to put 30 years of friendship into a short few minutes was a daunting task, but here goes.

Peter was born and raised in Southampton, England. His father worked on the ships in the merchant marine and would be away from home for months at a time. Peter's love of the sea came from his childhood. Perhaps it was fitting that he died at sea, too soon, but fitting.

Peter was an adventurer. In the mid-1950s he spent two years surveying in the Antarctic. Dog sleds, skiis and snowshoes were the means of transportation.

Snowmobiles had yet to be invented. How many of us can say that a location in the world is named after us? Wylie Bay was surveyed by Peter's team and named after him.

A Google search: "Bay 4 miles wide, lying between Cape Monaco and Norsel Point on the SW coast of Anvers Island, in the Palmer Archipelago. First charted by the French Antarctic Expedition under Charcot, 1903-1905. Named by the United Kingdom-Antarctic Place-names Committee in 1959 for John P. Wylie, Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey surveyor at Arthur Harbor in 1956 and 1957."

After leaving the Antarctic and on his way home to England Peter travelled extensively through South America.

Following the return to England, Peter met and married the love of his life, Eve. Their two daughters, Ailsa and Claire, were both born in England.

After emigrating to Canada, Peter was employed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation originally in aerial surveying. Rotary has a system of membership by classification. The objective being to encourage individuals to meet regularly to share experiences from a variety of professions and vocations. Peter's classification was that of photogrammatrist.

Later in his Ministry career Peter worked in the highways regulation area.

Once quoted on the news: "You can't legislate common sense." I wonder if Peter still has the t-shirt Sherrin bought him. The sign that goes on the back of farm tractors "Slow moving vehicle" on the back of the t-shirt.

After retiring from the Ministry of Transportation, Peter continued in public service, taking on the challenge of running as the area councillor for Bolton to the Town of Caledon council. Successful on his first attempt at election to public office, Peter did such a good job representing the citizens of Bolton that he was acclaimed for a second term.

Rotary. I joined the Rotary Club of Bolton in 1976. That was when I first met Peter. Twenty years my senior but my age or younger in outlook. Peter was the president of the club in 1980/81. I followed him in 1981/82. In England members of Rotary Clubs generally came from the upper classes. Peter's family were not of the privileged class. They were working class people. He was extremely proud to be the president of a Rotary Club in Canada. He believed that he would never have had that opportunity in England.

On the Saturday following Peter's death I was selected to be the 2009/10 District Governor for District 7080. Roy, another close friend of the Wylies, said at the family funeral visitation a week ago that Peter had his rye smile while lying in the coffin. I know that smile broadened as I bent over him, tears streaming down my cheeks and told him of my selection as DG.

He wanted so much for me and would do anything for me. He would be so proud.

Bolton is located in a river valley, the Humber River running through the downtown. As a Rotary project Peter spearheaded the development of a passive walking park along the north side of the river from Highway 50 to Humberlea Road. The remains of the original Goodfellow dam and mill are still in place. After much fund-raising and convincing, that park is now known as the Bolton Rotary Mill Park. The horticultural society maintain the park with plantings of numerous indigenous species. A move is currently afoot to name the walkway through the park the Peter Wylie Trail. I have heard from many of the Bolton club members. Unanimous approval so far. If approved by the club, I will then propose it to the Town of Caledon.

For those that don't know, Rotary International sponsors a Youth Exchange program. Sixteen to 18-yearolds are sent to spend a year living in a foreign country. Prior to selection, the students are interviewed by club members.

I know the reasons behind Peter's Antarctic adventure came out every year at the interview sessions. Peter had a love of geography. Name the provinces of Canada and their capitals. Peter did not want our students to go to France, Germany, Brazil, wherever without knowing the geography of their own country.

Eiko Ukita had stayed with Sherrin and me and with Robin and Barb Fennell while on her youth exchange from Japan. Several years later, she came back to visit, spending some time with Sherrin and me, before flying to St. Louis. Robin and Barb had moved to St. Louis after Eiko lived with them in Bolton. After dropping Eiko at the airport for her flight to St. Louis, Sherrin had a brainstorm. Set it up with Peter and Eve. Sherrin, Peter and Eve picked me up at the office on Friday. Before I was told where we were going, we were past London on Highway 401. We were going to St. Louis for the weekend. 800 miles each way. Drove all night. 14 hours later we were in Fennells driveway at 7:30 Saturday morning. Left to return to Bolton Sunday morning. 28 hours of driving for a weekend. Absolute insanity. But a total blast.

Rotary International Conventions. Toronto and the shared hospitality dinner at our house. One of the guests from Sacramento confirmed that President Reagan was a member of his club, but never met the requirements to be president of the Rotary Club.

Meals with the Wylies. Bangers and mash. Texas chili from the tailgate at Buffalo Bills football games. Kippers for breakfast.

Baffo's is a small Italian restaurant in Bolton. I can't tell you how many times Peter and Eve with Sherrin and me had lunch or dinner at Baffo's. Before we could sit down, 2 large draft beers were poured and ready for Peter and me. The staff new us that well. Peter's 2 favourite meals at Baffo's - seafood and pasta, but hold the pasta.

Peter, last Monday Brian, Roy, young Pete, Shaynie and I raised a glass to you at the Angel Inn in Niagara-on-the-Lake. One of our favourite pubs.

Peter, you were, as many have told me since your death, a true gentleman. I salute you until we meet again.