Obituary of Peter Rowlands

ROWLANDS, Peter, CPA, CMA

Peter Rowlands of Falmouth, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 in the Windsor Elms Village in Falmouth. Born in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England, on January 21, 1932, he was the second of five children of William and Edith (Nichol) Rowlands.

Peter led a full life. In 1940 at the age of 8, Peter and his older brother, Alan (11) and younger brother, Philip (5) were part of the British Government ‘s Plan to evacuate children to Canada and other countries from the WWll bombardment. They came to Canada through Pier 21 in the care of the Children’s Aid Society. Peter was placed in the home of O.V. and Georgina Kennedy in Bridgetown, Alan in Wilmot and Philip in Truro. Peter returned to England at the end of the war in 1945, completed his secondary schooling and began his first career as an apprentice electrician, later joining the RAF.  Here Peter trained as an Air Navigator and became a Flight Lieutenant.

On returning to Canada in 1960 Peter worked in a variety of fields, including managing a well drilling company in Newfoundland and Bridgetown, office manager, setting standards, at the Nova Scotia Textiles in Windsor and ending his career as a Cost Accountant and Systems Manager at the Department of Housing in Dartmouth after completing his Registered Industrial Accountant certificate by taking night classes at St. Mary’s University. 

Over the years Peter was an active member of the Lions Club, Jaycees and coached baseball and hockey teams. He was also an active member in the Windsor United Church as Treasurer, member of the Finance Committee, Board of Stewards, Men’s group and helped with Church suppers. In later years he volunteered for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign. He enjoyed reading, TV, music, board games, puzzles and dancing. 

Peter is survived by: his wife of 43 years, Karen (Gunn); his children, Bryn, Halifax; Bruce (Catherine), Maryland; Kathleen (David) Stewart, Aylesford; David, Cheverie and Kimberly, Bridgewater; grandchildren, Cara (Ryan Anderson), Ottawa; Christy (Matthew) Schwabe, Tsawwassen, BC; Caity (Matthew) Milner, Dartmouth; Chloe (Marshall) Dorin, Ottawa; Lucas, Halifax; Hannah, Ottawa; Sam (Maia VanMaltzahn) Stewart, Halifax; Ben (Caitlin) Stewart, Washington, DC; Nick (Emily McGuirk) Stewart, Dartmouth; Logan, Halifax; Jordan Oliver, Ottawa and Caleb Oliver, Kamloops; nine great-grandchildren; brother-in law, John (Lynn) Gunn, Port Williams and many nieces and nephews.

Peter was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Alan (Rita), Philip (Iris) and half brother, William;  sisters, Janet (John) Brumpton and Ann (Eddie) Bowen. He was also predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Elizabeth (Campbell) Hall and step-daughter, Nancy Lynn Forbes.

We would like to say a sincere thank you to Dr. Paige Stevens, the staff at the QEII, (8.2), Hants Community Hospital and a special thank you to the staff at the Windsor Elms Village where Peter received such loving care. 

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert Street, Windsor NS (902-798-8317), where visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Friday, December 27. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, December 28, in Windsor United Church, 613 King St., Windsor, Rev. Valerie Taylor and Rev. Karen Lynch officiating. A reception will follow in the church annex. Interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Peter may be made to one of his favourite charities, Windsor United Church – World Development, PO Box 2037, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902-798-2667), The Salvation Army, PO Box 726, Kentville, NS B4N 3X9 (902-678-4534), Windsor Elms Village, 174 Dyke Rd., Falmouth, NS B0P 1P0 (902-798-2251) or to a charity of one’s choice. Peter’s service may be viewed on his obituary page on the funeral home website a few days following the service. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.