Obituary for
J. Peter Giffen
J. Peter Giffen
James Peter Giffen passed away on June 14, 2018, after a brief illness.
Peter began his 82 year adventure as “Pete”, starting life above the Giffen family hardware store in Port Hope On, with his parents, Jim & Marie, older sister Joan and soon to be joined by his cousin Betty. Peter attended Trinity College School in Port Hope, where he excelled at hockey and football. He attended the University of Toronto followed by Osgoode Law School, where he graduated and was called to the Bar in 1963.
After practising law in Toronto, the family moved to Kitchener in 1966 where Peter practised with Sims, Giffen McKinnon, and subsequently, founded Giffen Law in 1981, where he mentored until his retirement in 2006.
Peter was named a Queen’s Counsel in 1975, and was certified in civil litigation. His love of the law was a natural fit for his love of debate and analysis, both in the court room, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and around the dinner table.
He had a love of family, friends and life; whether it be the years on Georgian Bay, skiing the world, canoe trips, family road trips, mastering the patio, if not the course at Westmount Golf Club, his famous Sunday night dinners on Corfield Rd in Kitchener, or the farm outside of Kincardine.
To Peter nothing mattered more than family and friends. If there was a need, he figured out a way to fill it. He did the little things, and through that, accomplished much in his life. He dedicated countless evenings and weekends to academic and charity boards, as well supporting political causes and candidates, from local to federal.
His love, guidance, wit and never-ending advice will be remembered everyday by his wife Kathryn and his three children, Heather (Lorna), James (Maria) and Julie (Paul). He will be missed by his grandchildren, Sam, Emmy, Paige and Ainsley, his sister Joan and cousin Betty, his former wife Mike, as well as his California and Quebec nieces and nephews. Peter was a man not soon forgotten. Beati Mundo Corde
In the spirit of Peter, the family will share a toast to his life on Wednesday June 27th from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Charcoal Steakhouse, 2980 King St E., Kitchener.
Please visit www.henrywalser.com Peter’s memorial.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de J Peter Giffen 1936 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Kitchener, Province: Ontario
