Requiem for Peter

On Saturday I mentioned that we had lunch with Peter and his wife, Jenny, and daughter, Sarah. It was wonderful to see Peter able to walk a short distance using a stick and to eat a little food, after the torrid time he had in Intensive Care in the USA.

Early this morning he died. He had a lot of medical problems, but this was still a shock. We are so glad we spent time with him.

Peter was an archetypal grumpy old man but with intelligence and painfully accurate observational skills. His wit was acerbic and he did not suffer fools gladly. He was immensely likeable and a good friend.

He was determined not to have a stair lift installed and for the last 2 nights had climbed the stairs to sleep in his own bed. This was probably too much for him. Words like determined and stubborn come to mind.

Recently I discovered that Peter and Jenny have collected frogs for years. They even have a couple climbing up their front door. My little frog orchestra are playing a requiem for Peter tonight. It will not be conventional since this would just not fit.

Peter had a passion for theatre and wrote regular reviews for the Hexham Courant. I was talking to one of the reporters today. She said that she will miss his imperious emails, telling her which plays he would review for her!

Peter was an former director of Beamish Museum and former piermaster of Wigan Pier.