Peter Norman Bey
Born: 22 May 1945
Died: 29 August 2023
It is with the greatest sadness that his family announces the passing of Peter (Pete) Bey, who died peacefully in the night, aged 78, in Sidney, BC on August 29, 2023.
Pete lived a very full and remarkable life all over the world, and was continually eager to accomplish more and newer things, helping people along the way, and smiling while he did so - unless he was busy cursing his beloved Canucks.
Through his extensive career in the Canadian Armed Forces, where he is primarily, but not solely, known as a Sea King pilot, Pete was stationed at bases all over the country – from Cold Lake to Shearwater, from Moose Jaw to Pat Bay. His sisters once remarked how Pete dreamed of flying from the time he was a little boy in Surrey. When he later from moved in high school to Princeton, BC, he not only met his wife of half a century, Elizabeth, but he learned a great deal from his older brother John.
Pete will be sorely missed by those who have known him. He is survived by three families and loved dearly by each member of them all. These people include his wife Rose, his sister Lily, his brothers Harry, Nick, and Carl, and his in-laws Pauline, Gail, Sonia, Len, Ira May, Dorothy, Leslie, Alan, and Rosemary, with whom he was just as much family. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Hugh and Wilfred, Charlotte and Owen, Steel and Storm, as well as his children Jenny, Jon and Haven, Steven, and Chris.
Equally at home on the sea or in the yard, Pete spent many hours out on his boat, fishing for elusive salmon. He was likewise fond of ending a long day of yard work with a pilsner and a fire, listening to oldies radio well into the evening.
Pete equally believed in hard work, and it showed in everything he did, whether that be painting a deck, serving overseas in cramped quarters, or driving kids to 6 AM hockey practices in -30° darkness. Pete was similarly generous with his time and, until the day he passed, spent many hours volunteering with the Sidney Anglers Association, Maritime Radio, and the CFB Esquimalt Power Boat Club.
Peter Norman Bey was loved by everyone who knew him and he will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Sidney, BC on October 1, 2023 at 5:30 PM at the Sidney ANAVETS 302 located at 9831 Fourth St, Sidney, BC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be sent to the Sidney Anglers Association.
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