It is with great sadness the family of Peter Robert Gook announces his passing in his 91st year, on July 16th, 2016 at Dunrovin Lodge, Quesnel BC.
Peter was born in Quesnel in 1924, delivered by Dr. G.R. Baker to parents Major Ernest John and Marjorie Gook, the youngest of 5 children. He attended school in Kersley and later in Quesnel, with Helen Ferguson (Dixon) as his teacher. For High School he attended Upper Canada College and then returned to Quesnel to graduate in 1942 and start his first year at the University of British Columbia. Peter joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 and spent 3 years as a navigator bomb aimer. Returning to Vancouver and before his discharge from the RCAF, he decided to take advantage of free dental coverage and randomly chose a dentist where he met his sweetheart Genevieve Rita Long. They were married in 1946 at the Holy Rosary Cathedral downtown Vancouver. Peter completed his education with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1948, and the two embarked on their move back to Quesnel to homestead and raise a family. Purchasing his father’s property on Dragon Lake, Peter & Genevieve began to raise their family, adding on to the original log cabin as more children came along. There was 10 children so there was many additions to their residence Peter fondly called the house on the hill.
Peter began working as an accountant in 1949 at Winder Realty & Insurance, and eventually purchased the business in 1956, starting Peter Gook Realty & Insurance Ltd. With his office on Front Street next to the Rex Theatre (Tim Horton’s present location). In 1963 Peter qualified as a Notary Public, taking the seal formerly held by A. S. Vaughan. He sold the seal in 1993 after 30 years of service. The business moved to the Garner center on Reid Street in 1972 and eventually was taken over by his son David. Peter loved living in Quesnel, and gave back to the community by volunteering for many projects such as the building of the GR Baker Memorial hospital and the St Ann’s Catholic Church. He spent many years as a Club Leader for the local 4-H, a founding member 50 years ago of the Knights of Columbus and a loyal 50 year Charter member of his beloved Quesnel Rotary Club. Peter & Genevieve loved to travel, spending many months in Maui and Arizona where they enjoyed playing golf with their wonderful friends from Quesnel, and those they met through their years in the Real Estate & Insurance business.
Peter is predeceased by his parents Ernest John & Marjorie Gook, his Irish Sweetheart for over 63 years Genevieve, his brothers Hugh and Richard Gook, his sisters Janie and Ruth Webster, his daughter Rita Marie Gook and grandson Jonathon Gook.
He is survived by his children Jon Long, Bob Gook of Ashcroft, David (Lesley), Don (Lillian), Fred (Christiana), Susan (Scott), Mike Gook of Kamloops, Doug (Mardel), and Kathy Gook. Son-in-law Allen Haworth of Lumby BC, and Grandchildren: Ami (Matthais) Starzner of Rossland, Stephen Haworth of Vernon, Brad Gook, Matthew (Selina) Gook, Jeremy (Ada) Gook of Lethbridge, Jennifer (Shawn) Gemmell, Max (Brittney) Gook of New Zealand, Jasper Gook of Germany, Zachary (Tammy) Froese, Angela McNiff, Joel (Charlie) Gook of Vancouver, Linden Gook of Williams Lake, Pollymander (Timothy) Niebergall of Halfmoon Bay, and Great Grandchildren Travis Gook, Nickolas Froese, Hailey Haworth, Olivia, Porter, Walker and Sawyer Gook of Lethbridge, Natavia Starzner of Rossland and Tyler and Riley Gemmell.
Peter was well cared for while living at Dunrovin lodge and the family would like to sincerely thank the staff – Dad loved to have fun and the staff gave it back to him! Thank you!
Funeral arrangements will be Saturday July 23rd, 10:00 am at St Ann’s Catholic Church with a lunch to follow at St Ann’s Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Peter’s name at the Quesnel Community Foundation.