Obituary of PETER MARK HURD

PETER MARK HURD Peacefully, on the evening of April 5, 2016, Peter Mark Hurd passed away at home surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 68. He is survived by Bonnie, his wife of 44 years, daughter Karen (Dan), son Keith (Brandy), and his five grandchildren, Graeme, Corrina, Ian, Brennan, and Alex. He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Jarvis, Marie, Lynda, Marilyn, Maureen, Bob, and Tom and their spouses and children. He was predeceased by father Jarvis, step-mother Alice, mother Patricia Rudd, brother Wesley, and sister Colleen. Peter was born January 28, 1948 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, but was raised in Winnipeg. Peter graduated from Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate in 1966. He attended the University of Manitoba for a short time. In 1971 Peter married Bonnie (nee Neil) and they soon were joined by their first child Karen and then their son, Keith. Peter worked for many years at the Winnipeg Free Press, then began working in the trucking industry, driving for his father, CO-OP, and Scott National. This led to a management position with Codville and a transfer within the company in 1979 to Saskatoon, SK, where the family lived for two years. Upon returning to Winnipeg, Peter worked for Atomic Transfer as a city dispatcher until 1986, when he opened his own business, Pete’s Pro Shop. Pete’s Pro Shop began in Peter’s garage as a way to sharpen skates for the boys on the Maples Devils hockey team of which he, himself, was the coach (even though he couldn’t skate!). The shop grew to a sporting goods store on Sheppard St. in the Maples and later to the Maples Multiplex Arena, where he worked until his retirement in 2015. Peter was known for the quality of his work and his interest in all things hockey, but it was his love of the interactions with his customers, particularly the kids, that kept him sharpening skates for all those years. Peter also loved books, reading, and history. He enjoyed travelling and endeavoured to inspire others, particularly his children to share in his passions. He took his family on numerous road trip vacations across Canada, visiting EVERY fort and point of interest along the way. Peter loved being a grandfather. His grandchildren were a constant source of pride, joy and happiness for him. He loved spending time with all of his grandkids, whether it was to attend their football or hockey games, go fishing, or just to have the entire family over for dinner. The family would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses at CancerCare and HSC for their support. A special thanks must be extended to all of the members of the Palliative Care team that helped to make his last days at home so special. We could not have done it without you. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 11th, at 6:00 p.m. in Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peter’s memory to KidSport Manitoba or Make a Wish Foundation.