Obituary of Peter Balthazar

BALTHAZAR, Peter Francis Passed away on Monday March 7, 2016, at Linhaven Home for the Aged in St. Catharines, ON at the age of 87. Beloved husband of the late Acmie Agnes Balthazar (2014). Cherished father of Casien, Egbert, Daphne, Sandra Alexcia, Patricia, Doreen and their families, which include spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His brothers Joseph and Eugene and their families in Canada, the Caribbean and abroad lovingly remember him. He is predeceased by his parents, Belisse and Christine Marie, and his brothers, St. Clair and Bernard Balthazar, whose children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will also miss him dearly. Peter was born in Petit Soufrière, Dominica. He met and married his soul mate Agnes in Dominica on December 25, 1951. Years later they moved to Gloucester, England where they trained and worked, he as a surgical nurse and she as a midwife. In 1963, he and his wife emigrated to Canada in response to the Canadian government's recruitment campaign for skilled nurses. The family settled in St. Catharines in November of that year, where Peter and Agnes raised their five children. Peter left the nursing field and excelled as a top salesman for W. Clement Stone's Combined Insurance Company, where he was recognized by Mr. Stone and invited to the Chairman's Club, a top sales group within the company. He also worked for FilterQueen® and Lifeware Cookware products as a direct, in-home salesman. After his successful sales career he moved into real estate and became a small business owner, founding the Independent Driving School, where he taught the Smith System of Collision Avoidance, becoming a much beloved instructor until his retirement. A member of Central Community Church in St. Catharines, he was active and served in the Sunday School, Bus Ministry and Visitation Ministry of the church. A man who loved his extended family, he sponsored many family members to immigrate to Canada from Dominica, using his home as a place where they could gain their education, further their employment opportunities and become Canadian citizens. A very sincere thank you to all the staff at Linhaven for all their care and compassion. Friends will be received at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Saturday, March 12th from 9:30 a.m - 11:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be at 12:30 p.m. at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens in Fonthill, ON. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.