In Celebration of

Peter Bruce Archibald Clarkson, FCPA, FCA

June 19, 1932 -  September 13, 2021

With aching hearts we announce the death of our beloved Peter who died at home surrounded by his family on Monday, September 13, 2021.

Born in London, England on June 19, 1932, to Geoffrey and Ess Clarkson, Peter grew up in southwest England with his brothers, Alan (Monica) and Robert, dec,d 2016 (Jean). As was the custom, Peter and his brothers attended boarding school, including Sherbourne, where the memories made lasted a lifetime.

At nineteen, Peter was conscripted into the British Army and served as Captain in the Royal Artillery from 1951-1953. In 1956 he was stationed in Trieste and Malta in the Suez war. From there he became a chartered accountant working in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Rhodesia.

After working for a year in Canada, Peter decided to visit his cousins in Australia. On the voyage to Australia, he met his beautiful bride and love of 58 years, Sue (herself a transplanted Brit in Canada). Peter and Sue went on to make their home in Toronto. They had 4 children – Lisa (Gordie), Julie (Jon), Robert, and James (Victoria) along with 7 beloved grandchildren Ashley, Christopher, Katrina, Lucy,
Henry, Emma, and Cooper - and an 8th grandchild to be born this November.

In 1965, after settling in Toronto, Peter founded the accounting firm Clarkson, Rouble LLP. He went on to lead a distinguished career in chartered accountancy, including sitting on various disciplinary tribunals for the Institute of Chartered Accountants. In 2002, Peter was made a lifetime member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario. In 2021, he was awarded the prestigious ‘Fellows Designation’ 2021, which recognizes exceptional service to the C.A. profession and volunteer work.

While accounting was his profession, music and family were his passions. Peter was an avid lifelong musician. He played in many bands, orchestras, and choirs throughout his life. As a child, he played weekly local shows on clarinet and piano, in a family quartet with his father and brothers. As an adult, he played for over 50 years in the ‘Vansickle Ensemble’, which delighted residents in old age homes. He
performed in a Gilbert and Sullivan Orchestra for many years and joined the Royal St. George’s Alumni Orchestra at the age of 84. For fifty years, Peter sang in the choirs of All Saints Church, Kingsway, and St. Peter’s Church, Erindale, with his beloved friend and choirmaster Clem. These years featured many choir tours and performances in the UK (and tours of some pubs!). On Sunday afternoons the family and Neighbours were always treated to some fortissimo Opera floating from the Clarkson house.

Peter volunteered with the Kiwanis Music Festival of GTA for over 40 years. There he also served as treasurer, board member, and president. He received numerous awards through the Kiwanis Club. In 2020 - the ‘Diamond Mel Osbourne Award’ from Kiwanis Worldwide. In 2020 - the ‘Province of Ontario Award’ for 35 plus years of volunteering. In 2021 - the ‘Outstanding Volunteer Service Award’ from the House of Commons.

Peter loved to spend time at his family cottage in Bancroft Ontario. He busied himself there cutting down trees, building cabins, reading, driving the boat on tours of Lake Baptiste, playing lots of mahjong with the family, and having a sunset glass of wine.

Our family will miss, forever, Peter’s keen mind, quick dry wit, but mostly his love, kindness, optimism, and strength.

The family is indebted to Dorothy Ley Hospice for the tender care provided over the past 10 months especially from Dr. Haq and our witty and encouraging Primary RN nurse Veronica. You are shining examples of what loving and compassionate care looks like.

We would also like to thank the staff and doctors at Sunnybrook ALS Clinic, who contributed so much to Peter’s care.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 1st at 11 am at St. Peter’s, Erindale Anglican Church. Sadly, due to Covid restrictions of 40 guests, only a few close friends and family are invited to attend.

A live streaming link will be available at:
https://youtu.be/-wa3qjJHwBs

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Dorothy Ley Hospice or to the Kiwanis Music Festival.

Guestbook 

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Bill Wilson (Choir friend)

Entered September 17, 2021 from Etobicoke

Dear Sue and family,

I was very sorry to hear about Peter’s illness and also his passing the other day.

I always enjoyed speaking with Peter on various occasions but also singing with him in church choirs over the years.

Peter, Clem and Barb were our “go to” team planning tours to the UK for our All Saints choir.

Peter invited me to DJ a family wedding at St. George’s College and he helped me complete my late mother’s final income tax.

May you Rest In Peace, Peter. You have a family very proud of you and other family and friends who will miss you.

IAN MCMASTER (fellow parishioner)

Entered September 20, 2021 from Mississauga

Enjoyed those erudite conversations that we had over lunch at The Muddy Duck. Rest in peace:-)

Ruth Ostrower (Fellow Board Member)

Entered September 20, 2021 from Etobicoke

So sorry to hear about Peter's passing. I know this past year was a struggle, but we miss this gentle giant at the Toronto Kiwanis Festival board table. Best wishes to Sue and the rest of the family. May his memory be for a blessing. Ruth

Robert (Bo) Fleischman (Friend)

Entered September 20, 2021 from Toronto

Thank you Peter for all of your contributions to the church, Kiwanis, the music festival and your community.
You will be sorely missed.
My condolences to Sue and the family.
How lucky any and all of us have been to have had Peter in our lives. God bless.

Emma (Grandchild)

Entered September 20, 2021 from Canada

I will miss you forever grandpa! I was the luckiest child in the world to have a grandpa as amazing as you! You were the best grandpa and an amazing father to my dad and uncle and aunts and an amazing grandpa to all of us!

All my love, Emma xxxx

Photos 

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