June 2, 1936 – June 3, 2022
at the age of 86 years:
His funeral will be held at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salmon Arm, BC on Monday June 13th at 9:00am
Peter Ereth Home Purves was born on June 2nd, 1936, in Lismore, N.S.W, Australia. He was the youngest child of Major William Purves and Robena Purves. He had a joyful childhood growing up with his sister ‘Billie’ in Australia, spending much time at the beach and in the surf. He attended an agricultural boarding school and then did his teacher’s training at Sydney Teacher’s College. After teaching for three years in Newcastle, Peter travelled to Canada and ended up teaching in Merritt, BC. It was there that he met Marie-Annette Boulanger. It was love at first sight.
They married in 1961 and began their new life together back in Australia. During their three years in New South Wales they had two children, Allan and Joanne. They returned to Merritt, where Peter was a favourite teacher and coach at the local high school. Their third child, Susan was born in Merritt and then the family moved to Salmon Arm in 1967, where John was born.
Peter continued his career in education for another 28 years, working in secondary and elementary schools, in special education, and in administration. Peter and Marie-Annette fostered children and adopted one, a six year old boy named Randy in 1978. Peter chose to be baptized in the Catholic Church when he was 39 years old. He proudly served St. Joseph’s Parish as a reader, a Confirmation teacher, a member of the Parish Council, and he helped with Bastian Place Communion service.
Peter had a profound love for his wife and his family. His interests were varied and deep, extending beyond not only children and teaching, but to sport, music, reading, dancing, poetry (both reading and writing it), and gardening. He achieved the completion of an Ironman Triathlon at age 66. He served God and his neighbours in a multitude of ways, such as coaching Masters Swim Club, teaching a blind friend to ride a tandem bike, and taking his adoring grandchildren camping.
He is survived by Marie-Annette, his beloved wife of 60 years, by his only sibling and dear sister Willena “Billie” Keegan of Toowoon Bay, NSW, and by his children: Allan and his wife Sandra, Joanne, Susan and her husband Marcel, John and his wife Liz, and Randy. As well, he is survived by 15 grandchildren (two of whom are named after him), and 13 great-grandchildren (the youngest of whom is also named after him) and numerous nephews and nieces, both in Australia and Canada. After a brief illness, Peter died on June 3rd, 2022, the day after his 86th birthday. His quiet confidence, teasing humour, and attentiveness to those around him will be dearly missed. His funeral will be held at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salmon Arm, BC on Monday June 13th at 9:00am.
I love you Dad.
I miss sitting on your knee, all the way up to 58.
Forever your little girl,
Joanne xox
I was so saddened to hear of Peter’s passing. My sincere condolences to his whole family. I was fortunate enough to have Peter as my Grade 6 teacher and to this day I still consider him my all time favorite. I had the fortune again to work with him while volunteering at Hillcrest school where he was then working with special needs students. He was a man who never forgot a student, would stop in the street to say hello and ask how your life was going. No matter how many years had passed by. He will be surely missed by all. Warmest of thoughts and healing hugs to his entire family.
Dear Marie-Annette and family, we wish to provide our condolences on the Peter’s passing. He had an unique sense of humour, was always friendly and he was an excellent teacher who assisted the growth and development of many students in his teaching career. He will be missed. When I moved to the Shuswap many years ago, Peter was one of the first locals I met and he was always supportive and helpful. Wayne and Linda Spencer
RIP Uncle Peter,
The cheeky life if the gathering ( always ) with a very dry with and a wry infectious smile. You & our mother had an INCREDIBLE LOVE & BOND for each other – rarely seen – but it was a direct result of your loving childhood together. You were blessed to find Aunty Marie-Annette & vice-versa. Our hearts & deepest sympathies hi out to her and the Purves clan in your time of mourning. Love From. Your Nephew – David Keegan & his wife Carla and their family.
I was sorry to hear about Peter’s death. I remember treating him for knee problems years ago.I was so pleased to learn about orthotics at an education conference but when I shared my new knowledge with Peter, he told me he had learned about orthotics
In a physical education magazine. So I was taught by Peter.
We will miss him.
Sending you all our love. We have SO many beautiful memories of Peter and his fabulous humour, love and warmth. He was very loved by mum and dad, who will be with him again, now, in heaven.
The news of his passing has left Mark and I so very sad.
Thinking of you all, with love, Suzie and Mark Coleman. XXX
Dearest Joanne and familie,
I hope you were able to give your beautiful Dad the send off he deserved. Rest up now, give yourself some time to process all that has happened in the past few weeks. Wrap yourself in a big hug from us. Love Sonja, Hugh and Riki. Xxx
We extend sincere sympathy to Peter’s family. Lloyd and Peter met as schoolboys at Hurlstone Agricultural High School and then both went in different directions. Many years later they were reconnected by their daughters in Salmon Arm. Our Julianne spent a year there as a Rotary Exchange Student. She attended the local school, met up with Joanne and they became close friends. So another reunion followed. We recall those happy times, and so many wonderful memories.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
From Billie Keegan , sister of Peter Purves.
Peter was my Dear brother whom I loved very much. We and our parents had some very happy years together, but our father was often away in the Army during WW11 .
I and Peter lived then in Long Jetty until our father returned, Then we moved to Toowoon Bay. After Peter graduated from the Teachers College he went on a trip to Canada, with his good friend Palla, where he met and married our dear Marie Annette.
They returned to Australia and had Allan and Johanna, then returned after 3 years to Canada to make their home there.
We all loved and missed each other very much, but had family holidays together when we could. God blessed Peter and I with beautiful families, Thank you Dear God for all your blessings to us both, with your wonderful love, God watch over all my family in Canada and bless them all in this time of sorrow of Peters passing , Amen .
Love from your sister
Billie Keegan .
I am so sorry to hear of Peter’s passing. He was kind enough to take me on as a student teacher at Silver Creek School way back when. I couldn’t have asked for a more kind, compassionate role model with a fantastic sense of humor. The students loved and admired him. He taught me the value of taking kids outdoors, of students being aware of what was going on in their community as well as globally. He challenged the students to become critical thinkers and he demonstrated valuing differences and the unique qualities that each of the students had. He was fun and he made being in the class fun. I will always be grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him and to teach with him. He was a great person.
Wishing Peter’s family condolences and love.
The summer before Peter began his time at Malakwa Elementary he brought his bicycle out and road around the community stopping to introduce himself to members of the community. He took the time to get to know our community and we always appreciated that. He was one of my son’s favourite teachers.
He was one of the ones that really made a difference. He had such a great sense of humour and a warm welcoming smile.
My deepest condolences to Peter’s family .
I was so sorry to hear of Peter’s passing. He had such a kind heart and a great person to meet up with, he always had time for you. I worked with Peter at Hillcrest School, he was great with students and staff alike. Your family will have so many good memories and stories to tell.
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
My sincere condolences to The Purves family. “Mr Purves” was my high school PE teacher. He was an excellent teacher of gymnastics teacher, plus ball games and had trophies for swimming. I also babysat for the “Purves” when their children were very young. “RIP Mr. Purves”.
Peter welcomed me into the family with the greatest warmth, a big smile, his words were always positive and his humour truly wonderfull.
You will be so very missed by myself, William and Freya
Sending my love and thoughts to Marie-Annette and all the Purves family.
Let us see your father in heaven as early as possible.
Fr. tom
Condolences to his family. I remember him when he taught in the Merritt high school. R.I.P. Mr Purves.
So many memories of Peter! Wishing you all many warm and smiling memories
Hi there. I’m Bernadettes Jordan’s sister I live in. Leduc. Alta.
I feel I know your family though y sister. She spoke so lovely of you all
So I thought I would like to send my sincere. Sympathy to his wife Marie and the family
So very sorry. I will be thinking about you all. On. Monday. Funeral day.
God Bless each and everyone of you. My deepest sympathy. Christina. Grain ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Peter was a truly fine man with such a kind heart and unmatched positive energy. I knew him as a student at Hillcrest Elementary, a parishioner at St. Joseph’s, at many potlucks, and as my father’s partner in hilarity at Aussie & Kiwi gatherings. My heart goes out to the whole family.
Dear Joanne and family, my condolences with the recent passing of your dad. He sounds like a lovely man and a great role model. Nice to read about aspects of his full life. Lots of love and hugs, may the tears be mixed with the joy of his happiness in the Lord’s afterlife.
Love you, Grandpa. As one of my main childhood role models, living in your example will keep you close to heart for the rest of my life.
My sincerest and heartfelt condolences and love to your family.
So many wonderful times spent together.
May you be comforted at this time by your love and the memories you share.