March On! ...the history of the
Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Peter Barclay
Corps: Canadaires, Toronto Optimists
April 7, 1947 — April 15, 2023
Pete played soprano in both the Canadaires and the Toronto Optimists (Pete marched with Optimists during the 1967 and 1968 seasons). He returned in 1971 when all of the Canadian corps were using overage members, I last saw him around 2012 when he came to watch the Optimists Alumni perform in Welland during the Rose Festival.
Pete spent five decades as Senior Storekeeper in what is now the Earth Sciences Department, and at the time of his 2018 retirement, was recognized as the University’s then longest-serving, ongoing employee.
Those who knew him well saw Pete as a Brock historian for his stories about working at the University’s original campus on Lockhart Drive at the bottom of the Glenridge hill. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, April 21 at 6 p.m. at the Pleasantview Funeral Home at 2000 Merrittville Hwy., Fonthill. Brock’s flags will be lowered to half-mast on the same day in Barclay’s honour.
Pete was a great guy who will be missed by all who knew him.
Here are a few quotes from some of those who knew Pete:
“If Pete lived his whole life in the way he was as a teen, and young adult, it would have been one of kindness, devotion, and love.”
“Peter was a special person with a great sense of humor.”
“He could see the positive in almost any situation. Even when his health concerns became more serious he continued to look ahead. He set an example for us all.”
“He had a gentleness about him with with a tremendous sense of humour and a good dose of common sense. I’ve laughed and cried with him.”
“A kind and thoughtful man who loved to smile.”
“He was a very kind and gentle soul that took great pride in everything he did.”
“Your dad was a lovely man. He could see the positive in almost any situation. Even when his health concerns became more serious he continued to look ahead. He set an example for us all.”
Peter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We Remember!