Peter James Harkness

Peter died peacefully surrounded by loved ones after suffering a serious fall while enjoying the Great Glebe Garage Sale and a beautiful day out in his community.

Peter was married for over 50 years to his late dear wife Rose Mae (Kant). He was deeply loved by his children Andrew (Carolyn Seabrook), Colin (Christina), Heather (Nigel Sanders) and Christine (Pierre Lapointe); his grandchildren, Bronwyn, Chloë, Aidan, Alya, Benjamin, Thomas, Johan and Riley; sister Elizabeth Hayes, brother-in-law Donald Routley (Patricia Heywood-Jones) and extended family. He was pre-deceased by his sister Carol Routley, brother-in-law William Hayes, brother-in-law Kenneth Kant and sister-in-law June Gamble.

Peter let his life speak through his good spirit, kindness, international development work at CIDA and many years of involvement with and service through the Quakers at home and abroad.

Born in Iroquois Falls, Ontario, he later studied Engineering at RMC and Queen’s University. With Rose Mae (who first caught his eye in elementary school), he embarked on a life of generous living and adventure, during which they lived, worked and raised a family across Canada, in India, Ghana and Zimbabwe, finally settling in Ottawa, where their hospitality continued, welcoming friends and visitors from all over the world.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 14 from 5-8pm at the Ottawa Friends Meeting House (91A Fourth Avenue, Ottawa). A memorial service and celebration of Peter’s life will be held at the same location at 1pm on Saturday, June 15. To join the service virtually please contact OMMTechSppt@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

Contributions in Peter’s memory may be made to the Ottawa Quaker Meeting at ottawa.quaker.ca.

May Peter’s life inspire us to live more thoughtfully and with love, care, grace, purpose and optimism.