Obituary of Peter Durrell

Peter Durrell of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30th, 2026 (aged 92), at the Queensway Carleton Hospital.   Born May 30, 1933, in New Liskeard, Ontario, Peter was the son of William Henry Durrell and Jean Isobel Hendry, and younger brother to Patricia Pollock.

Peter is survived by the love of his life, Dorothy (née Canniff), with whom he shared sixty-eight years of marriage. While always giving Dorothy credit for ‘doing the hard part’ in raising them, Peter was a loving father to Bill (Bridget), Debbie, Sue (Carl), PJ (Cynthia), Mary (Gerry) and a devoted Grandpa to James, Isabel and Sam. He bragged about all of them whenever he got the chance.

Peter grew up in Northern Ontario, eventually moving with his family to the Town of Mount Royal in Montreal, Quebec.  After graduating from Lakefield College School, Peter attended Sir George Williams College.   It was around that time that Peter met Dorothy, both enjoying an après-ski beverage after a day on the slopes at Mont Saint Saveur. He asked her to dance, and to his great surprise, she said yes. The rest, as they say, is history.  Peter and Dorothy married and started their family, living initially in Cornwall where Peter was the proprietor of a gas station. Once his career transitioned into purchasing, Peter’s job took him and his growing family to Dorval, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Lennoxville in the Eastern Townships and finally, to Ottawa.  Regardless of where the family was living, Peter and Dorothy made sure to get to the family farm in Brome, Quebec, spending time by the pool in the summers and skiing on Glen Mountain in the winters. 

Peter was a proponent for living life to its fullest. He was an accomplished pilot for many years and was an avid skier until his mid 80s.  Having caught the travel bug a bit later in life, he managed to travel extensively and was still cruising the Caribbean into his 90s. Peter was always happiest though, spending time with family and friends, a beverage in hand, ever the consummate storyteller. Peter and Dorothy’s home was always open and welcoming to their friends and their children’s friends, without a doubt.

Those who knew Peter know that he had a big personality, a big heart and loved a good party! Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Peter on Saturday, May 30 at The Wellings (2500 Wellings Private, Stittsville, Ontario) starting at 12:30 pm.  Please join us in sharing memories and stories of Peter, have a good laugh and raise a toast to a man who lived well, laughed often and loved much.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice in Peter’s name.