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PETER GREIG COWIE
Date of Passing: Apr 30, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
PETER GREIG COWIE
He will be warmly remembered and missed by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Geoff and David; grandchildren, Gabriel and Nina and many other family members, friends and former students. He was predeceased by his parents, Victor and Helen (Speirs) Cowie and brother, Victor.
Born in Winnipeg in 1936, Peter had a rich full life marked by family, good friends, travel, intellectual curiosity and athleticism. As a husband and father, he built a supportive environment which encouraged thought, exploration and a principled life. As a teacher Peter had a profound impact upon the lives of many of his students. His teaching career was long and varied with many years spent as an English teacher at Dakota Collegiate. His teaching also took him to Germany for several years in the 1970s where he taught with the Canadian Armed Forces. He also taught for many summers throughout the Caribbean with the Organization for Cooperation in Overseas Development and, in his later years, in adult education with Upward Bound.
Peter was a familiar sight in the neighbourhood jogging down the Oakenwald dike or skating at the Fort Garry and Wildwood community clubs. He was genuinely interested in people from all walks of life and those he met would often be peppered with questions from his curious mind. He was renowned for his eloquence and could always be counted on to reference an apt piece of poetry or literature. Peter had a deep love for both, particularly Shakespeare. He was an active member of a long-standing book club with whom he shared his passion for the written word.
Peter intensely enjoyed sports; baseball, curling, golf and particularly hockey. As a young man he played with the University of Manitoba Bisons and in later years with the Wildwood Oldtimers and the Winnipeg Jest hockey club. He loved the time spent with his Jest teammates especially the several trips with the team to play in Europe. Well into his late-70s Peter was still finetuning his backwards skating and stickhandling skills. He was a long-suffering fan of the Winnipeg Jets and would pick out the smallest details of the game that everybody else missed. In his years as a hockey coach, he always instilled the core values of fair play and sportsmanship into his players.
An adventurous spirit led to much travel and exploration throughout his life. He had a love of history and was particularly interested in the story of his family. At age 70, Peter and his son Geoff canoed from Oxford House to York Factory where he visited the grave of his ancestor, HBC Chief Factor William Sinclair. Later in the trip, drawn by his insatiable curiosity, Peter wandered into the willows along the shoreline of Hudson Bay and had a memorable encounter with a polar bear.
Peter was an astute observer of all things and had a very good sense of humour. He very much enjoyed conversation with friends and having a drink on the deck after a round of golf. His last years fighting illness revealed his quiet dignity and deep courage.
A celebration of Peter's life will be held at a later date.
A special thanks to all the staff at Riverview Health Centre 3West who provided Peter with exceptional care and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson Canada.
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
(R. Frost)
THOMSON "IN THE PARK"
204-925-1120
Condolences may be sent to
www.thomsoninthepark.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 08, 2021
Condolences & Memories (17 entries)
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I just recently heard of the passing of Peter Cowie. As has been said before, Peter was certainly one of the good ones. I only got to teach with Peter at Glenwood School for two years but did we ever have a good time especially the downhill ski and camping trips with our students. Whenever a tricky situation came up with the students, Peter had a special gift of being able to settle things down and make everyone happy. Outside of the classroom we certainly had some good times at the wine and cheese parties. I am so sorry that I did not spend more time with Peter at Riverview. He was the best. I will toast him with my glass of wine for many years to come. Rest in peace Peter..it has been my honor to have known you. Ron Wilkinson - Posted by: Ron Wilkinson (Friend and colleague) on: Oct 08, 2021
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I had the great pleasure of travelling with Peter on two European tours in the 1980's when he was a member of the Winnipeg Jest Oldtimers Hockey Club. He is one of the most unique, interesting and intelligent individuals that I have ever known. He was a true gentleman and scholar and will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Don Finkbeiner (Friend) on: May 14, 2021
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Mr. Cowie was one of those rare teachers whose passion for education overcame all resistance thrown up by reluctant teenage minds. Thank you, sir. It was an honour to have known you. - Posted by: Dunc Malcolm (Former student at Dakota) on: May 12, 2021
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Sad loss of my friend, Pietro...... golf trips to Florida... beer and popcorn at our 'alma mater' Cambridge.... bbqs at Dave Friesen's and Bill Weiss's. Great memories. My sympathy to his family. - Posted by: bill delvecchio (friend) on: May 11, 2021
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Mr Cowie was one of those rare teachers who commanded respect with a quiet, calm confidence that seemed effortless. His humour, enthusiasm, and kind-hearted nature helped make class so enjoyable. He made an effort to connect with and encourage students. So lovely to read about all his other adventures outside of teaching. I feel lucky to have known him. Much love goes out to his family. - Posted by: Holly Coutts (Former student) on: May 10, 2021
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Mr. Cowie was a mainstay of the outstanding English department at Dakota Collegiate; a kind, sincere and scholarly gentleman. At a time when I, my friends, and even some of the teaching staff were consumed by 'trivia', he stood for a deeper and more patient form of learning -- a lesson I eventually took to heart. I extend my sympathies to his family at this sad time. - Posted by: Andrew Cunningham (Student 1979-82) on: May 10, 2021
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I feel so very lucky to have known Mr. Cowie as my English teacher at Dakota Collegiate. I typically struggled with sitting in a classroom and actively listening but when I was in his class, it was just so easy to do this with his engaging personality at play! What a presence that man carried. His own love for the learning content was "catchy" almost, I am not sure how else to describe it. He is by far, my all-time favourite high school teacher. My sincere condolences to his family. - Posted by: Darcy Irwin (Former Student) on: May 10, 2021
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I was surprised to learn that Peter was only 10 years older than me. He was my teacher in Grade 8 and 9 at Norberry School, before he went on to Dakota. He was one of two teachers who inspired me to go into teaching. Every year from Grades 7 through 9 there was a Shakespearean play on the curriculum. I was indeed fortunate to have Peter as my English teacher for two of them. He actually made learning Shakespeare fun. In my practice teaching I moved to the country to stay with family on the farm and I ended up having to teach one of those plays in Grade 8 in my block. I relied heavily on my memories of Peter’s lessons for my lesson plans, ‘translations’, insights and jokes. I was only five years older than those Grade 8 students and for many years when I return to the community there were students and teachers who fondly reminded me of my Shakespeare lessons. Peter was undeniably a master teacher who made great connections with his student and was influential with his colleagues throughout his entire career. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. - Posted by: Jack Fraser (Former student and colleague) on: May 08, 2021
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Mr Cowie was my English teacher at Dakota Collegiate and he instilled in me a love of Shakespeare. I will always be grateful for his stoic, calm method of teaching. - Posted by: TL Johannesson (Student) on: May 08, 2021
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Mr. Cowie was my favourite teacher in high school at Dakota Collegiate back in the late 70's. When my kids spoke of their favourite high school teachers I told them of him and how he stood out from the pack in his ability to engage the class through his authenticity. Many condolences to the family. - Posted by: Stuart Macmillan (Student) on: May 08, 2021
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So sorry to hear about Peter. Condolences to your family. - Posted by: Jenny Hildebrand (Acquaintance from Riverview) on: May 08, 2021
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Mr. Cowie was my favourite high school English Teacher in the mid to later 80s. The English department at Dakota was full of outstanding English scholars but Mr. Cowie combined expertise with passion and fun! His classroom on the second floor was right over the smoking patio. On a warm day with the windows open you could sometimes get a whiff of grass coming in with the summer breeze. He didn’t miss a beat. I remember the books and plays we read and the movies we watched. A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella!), Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet...I remember the creative writing assignments like writing the epitaph for your gravestone. Mr Cowie worked with my dad, Peter Drosdowech, in the 60s at Glenwood school as a principal team. The staff at Glenwood from those days had a lot of old fashioned fun. I remember In the 80s when my Dad was facing great controversy as Principal at Hastings for enacting liberal changes like the elimination of grades and awards. Mr. Cowie pulled me aside after class to talk to me about it. I remember him shaking his fist and saying to me in his memorable voice, “your dad is like the rock of Gibraltar”. He was a memorable teacher who loved teaching and was full of life. It was infectious. My deepest sympathy to the whole family. - Posted by: Carol Drosdowech (Student) on: May 08, 2021
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My condolences to Mr. Cowie’s family and friends. He was my Grade 10 English teacher and made English interesting to me. - Posted by: Debra McCarthy (Lussier) (Former student) on: May 08, 2021
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My condolences to Mr. Cowie’s family. I had the great pleasure of being one of his students. He introduced me to classic literature of the 20th Century. More importantly, he modelled a love of literature, sport and life with wit, grace and compassion. He was always generous with his time and wisdom. I consider him one of a handful of educators that has left an indelible impression in my life. - Posted by: Don Head (Student) on: May 08, 2021
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So sorry to hear about Mr. Cowie. Was in Dakota the first year it opened. What a quality person he was. A real inspiration to us all. He made us all want to attend his classes and seminars. Such enthusiasm that rubbed off on us. Team teaching really allowed us to get to know our teachers. A relatively new concept for high school. - Posted by: Don Wilkinson. (Student) on: May 08, 2021
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As many others, I met Mr. Cowie at Dakota Collegiate. He was a wonderful man, unassuming, curious and passionate. He did gently impact the lives of many students and others he met. My deepest sympathy to his family, he will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Sidney Macaw (Former Student) on: May 08, 2021
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I was saddened to read of Mr. Cowie’s passing in this morning’s paper. He knew my parents back in university, they were both teachers as well. Mom was very pleased to hear when I learned he was to be my teacher. I remember him as being kind and passionate about teaching. From what I read he was passionate about life. My condolences to his loved ones. - Posted by: Carol Nikkel (Former student ) on: May 08, 2021
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