Obituary of Peter Frederick Francis Wilkinson

Wilkinson, The Reverend Professor Peter Frederick Francis Born August 24, 1925 Hamilton, Ontario; died peacefully Windsor, Ontario May 29, 2011, in his 86th year. Predeceased by his parents, The Rt. Rev. Frederick Wilkinson, Bishop of Toronto, and Madeleine Harkness Wilkinson. Survived by his loving partner, Dr. Kathleen McCrone, his loving sister, Joan Hoolihan, and his very special friend, Dr. Anita North. Also survived by his niece, Kathryn Anderson (John) and nephew John Hoolihan, by his grandnephew James Shirriff and grandnieces Madeleine Shirriff and Amanda Moase, and by several cousins and many dear friends. In 1944, at the age of 18 during his second year at McGill, Peter enlisted in the Royal Regiment of Canada, seeing active service as an infantry signaller in Belgium and Holland during the late stages of World War II, and suffering a serious shrapnel wound that left him with a permanently damaged leg. Peter was educated at McGill University, the University of Toronto, Wycliffe College, Toronto, and Columbia University. Ordained to the Anglican priesthood in 1950, he served as assistant to his father at St. Paul"s Church, Toronto, and then as rector of parish church in Hamilton Beach, before taking up an appointment as assistant chaplain and professor of Philosophy at Canterbury College, Windsor in 1962. The following year, when Canterbury became affiliated with the new University of Windsor, he joined the University"s Philosophy Department, serving as head of the Department for 10 years and retiring in 1990. Following retirement, he assisted at St. Michael and All Angels" Church, St. George"s Church, and at the time of his death was Honorary Assistant at St. Barnabas" Church. Peter loved "all creatures great and small", he loved music and art, he loved travelling to Britain with Kate, he loved reading reference books, he loved food, and he loved his family and friends. Wise, learned, gentle, kind, sensitive, thoughtful, selfless, patient, calm, modest, unpretentious, courteous, and generous, he was an interesting man who was interested in many things"from boats, to birds, to scientific instruments, to building and playing musical instruments, to old tools, to cooking, to the music of the Russian Orthodox Church, to sugar casters and all sorts of antiques. A fundamentally good person in every sense, he was, above all, a deeply committed Christian. Resting at the WINDSOR CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME (Main Chapel)519-253-7234 1700 Tecumseh Rd. East on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Relatives and friends are requested to meet at St. Barnabas Church (2115 Chilver ) on Thursday June 2, 2011 from 1:00 pm until time of Funeral Service at 2:00 pm. Interment to take place in Toronto at a later date. As your expression of sympathy donations may be made to St. Barnabas' Church or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.windsorchapel.com "May his soul rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon him"