NEW GLASGOW – Peter Underwood, New Glasgow, NS, formerly of Springville, NS, passed peacefully with his family around him on October 15, 2012.
Born July 1st 1931, in Nottingham, England he was the son of Roland Francis and Lillian (Coy) Underwood.
He joined the Royal Air Force in 1949, and participated in military operations in Malaysia, Aden (Radfan), the Canal Zone, and British Honduras (now Belize). In addition he was deployed for the Biafra (Nigeria) famine relief, and Zambia oil airlift.
Peter retired from the Royal Air Force as an instructor at the Mobile Air Movements School at RAF Brize Norton after 23 years of service to the Crown with the rank of Flight Sergeant. He brought his family to Canada in 1973, and was an assistant warehouse manager at Michelin Tire, Granton for 20 years.
For many years, Peter was commanding officer of the Admiral Murray Sea Cadet Corps in New Glasgow. As an instructor in the civilian cadre of the naval reserve he achieved the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. He was a member of the provincial and national executives of the Navy League of Canada, and served as president of the Pictou County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association. He was a member of the Monarchist League of Canada. He was also a member of the Trinitarian Choir, which he enjoyed immensely. He acted as a returning officer in several provincial and federal elections.
He is survived by his wife, best friend, and life-long partner, Joan; his children Jane (Vida Woodworth), Gays River, NS; Simon, Sylvester, NS; Julian “Jay” (Kathy), Elmsdale, NS; and Sara (Craig Dodge), Stratford, PEI. He leaves behind the grandchildren he was so proud of, Jeremy Livingston (Rebecca Blair) Edmonton, Alberta; Jessica (Leighton) Livingston-Thomas, Glenfinnan Lake, PEI; and Helen Livingston, Halifax; Amy (Jeff) Dewtie, Westville; Andrew, CFB Comox, BC; and Derek, Enfield; his brother Tony, Arnold, Nottinghamshire, England; and his cousins Barbara (Arie) Van Den Bos, who resides in Stellarton, and Valerie Kendrick of Staines, England.
He was predeceased by his brothers: Fredrick, Raymond and Brian, all in England.
A celebration of his life will be held, details to be announced at a later date.