GURRIN, Peter Matthew - (September 10, 1922 - June 24, 2020) -
Peter Matthew Gurrin, aged 97. We are so blessed that Peter was with us for 97 eventful years. His passing was peaceful, with Tess by his side, holding him and comforting him as he took his last breaths.
We are appreciative of Presentation Manor residents and staff who have been present for Peter, and for Tess, with so much love and care these past 5 months. And for the residents and staff at Hazelton Place, who were their caring and understanding community for the previous 7 years.
Peter’s memory has been affected by Alzheimers for several years: he would often ask how Mother (Frieda/née Dodwell) and Father (Lawrence Dudley) were; and would wonder when he would see his brothers Geoff & Tony, and his sister Anne; all of whom had predeceased him.
We are grateful that he could still recognize Tess right through to the end, although he would consistently express stunned surprise when informed that they had been married for 65 years. "You have always been so good to me," he would tell her.
He served during WW2 with the British 8th Army in North Africa and Italy. He was "mentioned in despatches" for bravery, holding his forward position under fire as he radioed enemy positions to the British lines. Peter’s true passions were Medicine and family. He was a dedicated and effective GP in Carmanville Nfld, and anaesthetist at St Joseph’s in Toronto, and at Scarborough Centenary; followed by locums in Edmonton and Thunder Bay.
His first son Martin was born in London shortly before they set sail for Canada. Their next son, John was born in Newfoundland, where Peter worked as a General Practitioner while Tess finished her qualifications. Daughter Susan was born in Montreal shortly before they moved to Toronto. And grandson Nathan was born in Toronto.
Family friends Bev Ker and Marie Palmer have helped immeasurably, with advice and support, these past few years, to cope with the issues around Peter’s Alzheimer's. Peter was also fortunate to receive a referral to Dr. Samir Sinha, a wonderfully caring, compassionate doctor who has dedicated his practice to the care of the elderly and the cognitively impaired. He was in touch with Tess right up to Peter’s last days with advice and empathy.
We are forever grateful to have known him. We have lost a husband, a father, a papa and a friend. He was a dedicated physician, a lover of nature and a good, kind and gentle man. Our time with him is over and we must now trust that he is in the arms of God. We know that the love that we experienced is true and will never die. We cannot stop loving him. We are grateful for Peter. He was a lovely man.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to: http://www.streethealth.ca/
Arrangements entrusted with Paul O'Connor funeral home, Scarboorugh.
Please visit https://www.facebook.com/PaulOConnorFH/photos/pcb.148233353530455/148232950197162/?type=3&theater.
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