Martin "Marty" Edward Peterson

On October 19, 2020 Martin Edward Peterson died suddenly in the comfort of home after decades of cheating death; “more than 26 times”, at his last count.  “Big guy” is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Marge, who was his tenacious partner in life, his golf partner and his best friend.  Survived also by an extensive family of five kids, 13 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren including his son, Chris Peterson (Laurel, Maya and Emily), daughter Marcie Peterson (Roger, Jaime andJackson), his step-sons Doug Caul (Heather, Spencer, Nick, Sophie and Lucy), Dennis Caul (Tracy, Desiree (Aaron), Josh and Zoey) and Darren Caul (Gabriella, Tyson and Landon), great-grandchildren Greyson and Aubrey, as well as his nephew Danny Peterson and nieces Karen Denis and Debbie McWillis.  Marty was pre-deceased by his mother Sheila, father Albert, sister Maureen and brother Harold (Pat).  

Born big in December 17, 1943 in Alert Bay, BC Marty was raised in Port McNeil (BC) Vancouver and Calgary areas.  He  hailed from humble roots leaving him all the more proud of each and all in the family, and appreciative of the life he crafted.  As the patriarch, he loved to watch our development and had a knack for knowing when to quietly offer pragmatic advice and a steady, supportive hand.  While gentle and loving with family, he was also formidable (“Listen guy…”), unapologetically fierce in his convictions when his mind was made up, and operated with a clear sense of values and right from wrong despite propagating that “It’s only illegal if you get caught”.

His moral compass, sense of justice and innate ability to protect guided Marty through his career as a Military Police (MP) Officer, where he served Canada by, among other, protecting the Canadian Embassy in Beirut in the early 1980’s; a post he proudly recalled as punishment for doing the right thing to a superior…one of many demonstrations of Marty’s nobility and integrity.  

In 1986, after 23 years as an MP in places that included Penhold, Cold Lake, Moisie, North Bay and Esquimalt - during which he impressively earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology - Sgt. Peterson retired to embark as an investigator of white-collar crimes with BC Government regulators.

Among his many strengths, Marty was a natural athlete, accomplished and decorated in several sports from an early age.  At 13 and 6”5”, he was later scouted to play basketball provincially, AAA hockey as a goalie, as well as a stint with the Calgary Stampeders farm team before determining naively that the military would be a safer career.  As an adult, he continued to excel in curling, hockey, baseball, skiing and his greatest love - golf.  Perhaps best known as “Trust me Peterson” for dragging lesser athletes down double black diamonds, Marty was always up for a challenge, if even just a “friendly” game of chess or poker. 

After an early-retirement in the 1990s, Marty doggedly defeated health challenge after challenge for decades, while simultaneously squeezing out all that our world has to offer.  Together with Marge, they would “wing it” as they toured the Caribbean, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand, France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand but he enjoyed most seeing Canada and much of the U.S. from their motorhome before settling as snowbirds on a little piece of Phoenix, AZ; living his final years demonstrating unconditional love, perspective, and gratitude for all that he - and especially we - had and will become. 

It’s said that a person’s life is measured by the the footprint he leaves in other people’s lives, and Marty’s model is positively indelible for so many. His larger-than-life spirit will remain with us for generations to come, and we are eternally grateful to have had him in our lives.  

A small, COVID-friendly / virtual family celebration of Marty’s life was held October 22.  In lieu of flowers, Marty would have preferred donations be directed to the Mount Arrowsmith Salvation Army - Foodbank.  Those wishing may donate “in memory of Martin Peterson” by phone at 250-586-6250 or by mail PO Box 1874, Parksville, BC  V9P 2H6.