Obituary of Pedro S Améstica

December 22, 1945 – Concepción, Chile

June 9, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Pedro S. Améstica Altamirano, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at the age of 78 years.

Pedro will be lovingly remembered by his wife Lisa Harpur, his son Pedro C. Améstica, sisters, Angela and Maria; as well as his brother Enrique (all arriving from Chile). In addition, Pedro will be leaving behind his niece Camila and sister-in-law Cecila (predeceased by his brother Carlos Améstica); niece Patricia (Marko) and nephew Enrique, sister-in-law Zunilda, niece Andrea, nephew Luis, sister-in-law Miriam (predeceased by cousin Luis Altamirano). Pedro is also lovingly remembered by Lisa’s parents, Geraldine and Louis Harpur; brother Dean (Diane) Harpur, niece Carmen (Steve) Pester, their daughter Emma, and niece Breanne (Jay) Sinclair.

Pedro was predeceased by his parents, Pedro Segundo Améstica Andrade and Liboria Angela Améstica Pinilla; and younger sister Patricia (3 years old).

Pedro was born in Concepción, Chile and was a professor of psychology at the Universidad de Concepción. The September 11, 1973, coup landed him in a concentration camp as a political prisoner where he endured years of torture and suffering before he was exiled to Calgary.  At the core of Pedro’s motivation is his belief that the only way out of poverty is education. He experienced this personally, by starting with absolutely nothing in Calgary and working his way back into school. Pedro’s unwavering commitment to education enabled him to complete his Master's degree in Psychology at the University of Calgary and go on to his PhD, completing everything but his research project. His values and passion for social justice were the very core of what made him extraordinary.  He was incarcerated for leading his fellow man out of poverty by providing access to basic needs of food, shelter, education, and healthcare. As a practicing psychologist, Pedro met Lisa, his soul mate; and they began their incredible life journey surrounded by family and wonderful friends.

Pedro had many accomplishments in his life one being the creation of the Chilean School; to maintain Chilean culture, education, the language, and bring people together. Alongside his passion for education, was his love of fútbol (soccer), including analyzing and providing advice to young people on how to improve their game.  At the young age of sixteen, he was on the Chilean National Fútbol team, and would proudly say he had the honour of sharing the field and losing to, the great Pelé.

Pedro was heavily involved with First Nations communities as a psychologist, travelling across Southern Alberta. Some of his psychological work through the years included The Calgary Family Service Bureau in adoption and with refugees, in immigration, as a sports psychologist with the Paskapoo Ski Team, and with the Calgary Board of Education. From 1982 on, Pedro maintained his private practice in Clinical Psychology. Pedro dedicated his life to helping people and unfortunately, it was cut short, as he had so many more plans for helping those who are suffering.

Pedro inspired many people in his lifetime; he mentored and led by example.  He was a force of nature.  Unstoppable.  He embodied the teachings of Viktor Frankl and we will leave you with a stanza from one of his favourite poems, by Antonio Machado, that captures his life (translated loosely to English):

“Traveller, your footprints are the only road, and nothing else. Traveller, there is no path, the path is made by walking.  When you walk you make a path and when you look back you see the path that will never be trodden again.  Traveller, there is no path, only a ship’s wake on the sea.”  (Caminante, No Hay Camino, sung by Joan Manuel Serrat - Youtube).

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Monday, June 17, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Améstica’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Amnesty International Refugees and Migrants, 312 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1H9 Telephone: (800) 266-3789, www.amnesty.ca (Canadian link) or www.amnistia.cl (Chilean link).

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Pedro’s family here.

In living memory of Pedro Améstica, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

Click Here to Sign the Digital Guest Book and Watch Pedro's Funeral Service