I received word from Mom on the weekend that Uncle Peter Noonan had passed away after a long battle with cancer. This only 10 days after his wife, Margie, fell victim to the same rat-bastard of a disease. The pair had battled long and hard, and while it is always sad to see loved ones leave this world, the cliche that maybe it’s for the best rings true in this case.
Dad was down in West Palm Beach with Peter when he passed, along with Pete’s son Kelly (George). Arrangements are under way to hold a memorial service for friends in Florida before moving on to Michigan, where the two will be interred together in the state where Peter raised his family.
Peter and Marge were, in all my experience, a happy, vivacious couple who brought serious fun with them wherever they went. They will be sadly missed by the entire Noonan family, Margie’s family, and their many friends in Canada and abroad.
My thoughts go out to Mike, Shawn, Kelly and all the grand-kids…
Following is Peter’s obituary, to be published in the Ottawa Citizen:
Peter J. Noonan, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens passed away August 20th, 2010 at his home after a valiant battle with cancer. Peter was predeceased by his beloved wife of 25 years, Marge McBride (8/10/2010), Annette Palmquist, and Dorothy Kanable. He is the very proud father of Michael (B.J.), Shawn (Dede) and Kelly (Rosana) Noonan and the late Mary Susan Noonan Boyes, stepfather of Jan, Karen, and Susan Brundage, and grandfather of John, Samantha, David, Brian, Katie, Riley, Matthew, Kevin, Kion, and Liam. Peter will be much missed by siblings Ann, Bernard (Patricia), Bernice, and Jim (Diane); he was predeceased by brother George and sisters Mary Chateauvert (Des), Kathy Parkinson (John), and Rose (Ron) Grant. Also mourning his loss are his dear family friend Joyce Bryant, his extra-special four-legged buddy Jake, and many others too numerous to mention.
Born in Almonte, Ontario, Peter became a US citizen in his early 20s and had a brilliant career in the automotive industry as an international finance administrator with Jeep and American Motors, and eventually retiring from Chrysler. Those who knew Peter understood that his loyalty, determination, and his ability to work with people from all walks of life were keys to his success.
A funeral mass will be held at Howard-Price Funeral Home in North Palm Beach, and final entombment will take place alongside Margie in Washtenong Cemetery in Ann Arbor, MI.
For those who wish, Peter’s family ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Ella Milbank Foshay Cancer Center (Jupiter), Hospice of Palm Beach County, or the Canadian Cancer Society.