Obituary of Peter Alan STEELE

Peter Steele, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on June 6th 2015 at the age of 88 years. Peter Steele was born on March 23, 1927 in Sussex, England. Peter started out in military boy’s school at 16 and went from there straight into the British Army. He rose to the rank of Sargent in very short order making him the youngest Sargent in the British Army’s Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME). He married his wife Inge while stationed in Germany with the British Forces of The Rhine. This was also where his son, Peter Jr was born in 1950. Shortly after he left the British Army for a short stint as a civilian. Civilian life was not for him as his fellow workers did not like his good work ethic. In 1954 he heard the Canadian Army was looking for recruits and went to see. They enlisted him on the spot and better yet they gave him his rank of Sargent. He was stationed with his family in in different locations in Germany and Canada. His final posting was to Calgary in 1970 after a 3 year tour in Lahr Germany. Most of his time was with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. In March of 1979 after 35 years of total service in the British and Canadian Forces he retired with the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO2) which is the highest rank of the enlisted men. He then went to work for Sears as a Mechanic at their warehouse off Blackfoot by the fish hatchery. He was with them for 10 years and then decided he should really retire. Peter and Inge had a beautiful home In Calgary and an incredible garden, which Peter tended to diligently. Peter and Inge always made everyone feel welcome and their house was always full of family and friends. Peter was blessed with two granddaughters, Jennifer and Kristine. They will always remember the times spent with their grandpa. From trips to Disneyland and Europe to the countless national geographic magazines he collected to help with school projects. Peter always took the time to be an active participant in Jennifer and Kristine’s lives. Peter Sr. moved to the farm outside of Airdrie with Inge and Peter Jr in 1997. He loved being on the farm. Especially when looking after his enormous vegetable garden! Peter assisted with all the day to day running of the farm and had plenty of space to develop his love of collecting everything! Peter was well known for his “saving if for another use” or “could come in handy” sentiments. Certainly his binder twine collection is one to be marveled at! Peter had an amazing ability to strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone, anywhere he happened to be. Peter’s knack for chatting made him many lifelong friends. He also had an incredible laugh and ability to make everyone laugh with his love of jokes. We will always smile anytime someone says “have you heard the joke about…………” As you could always count on Peter to have a funny joke, story or anecdote to share. “At least we had a laugh” Peter and Inge had a long and happy marriage. They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary and referred to it as 60 years of war and peace. Peter was blessed with great grandchildren. He was an amazing great grandpa to Xander, Saleen and Logan. He could always be counted on to hold and rock them as babies and ensure that they slept comfortably. He also refused to give them back or let anyone else hold them! He was content to sit with them for hours. Peter was an amazing man and touched the lives of many people. He always had a way of making everyone comfortable and feel welcome. He could be counted on to give sound, thoughtful advice, a helping hand to anyone, and share a good joke. He loved his chocolate and sherry and was known for his ability to save room for at least two or three desserts. He will be deeply missed, always remembered and loved forever. Peter Sr. is survived by his son, Peter Jr and daughter in law Wendy; two granddaughters, Jennifer (Jeff) Steele-Watts and Kristine (Matt) Craig ;and great-grandchildren, Logan Watts, Xander, Saleen and Kacey Craig. Memorial Services will be held at St. Clements Anglican Church (Township Road 262 Balzac, Alberta) on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433 in the memory of Mr. Peter Alan Steele Sr. In living memory of Peter Steele, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Airdrie, 300 TOWERLANE DRIVE, AIRDRIE, AB. Telephone: 403-948-1100