OBITUARY
Peter Winston Wilkins
December 12, 1940 – May 19, 2018
Peter, who was affectionately known as “Weeds” by many, quietly passed away on Saturday, May 19th, 2018 at 77 years of age with family by his side. Peter was born on December 12, 1940 to Edward and Dorothy Wilkins in Fort Frances.
His passions were many and included his
devotion to his family, his love for landscaping, woodworking, and the never ending quest to end
weeds and pot-holes.
He starting very young playing in the dirt and it stuck. As a youngster, Peter started working
with his father Edward at Wilkins Greenhouse in the west end of Fort Frances, while his mother
Dorothy ran Wilkins China Shop. When working at the greenhouse he was known for his saucy
character, an example was when he told a rather disgruntled customer that she should jump in
the lake and pull the bubbles in after her.
Peter was passionate for sports. In high school he played football, basketball and track and
field for the Muskies sports teams, and was also a Lifeguard at Pithers’ Point Park. He also
enjoyed curling with his cousin Frank Myers and friends Dick Gustafson, Ray Taylor, Ted Berry
and Ross Pearson.
Peter met his soul mate Janet in high school and after establishing their relationship, Peter
popped the question. They were married on July 24,1965 with his best friends Mel Trethart, Dick
Gustafson and Frank Myers standing up for him.
After attending florists school in Chicago, he began his own business called Wilkins Flower
Shop. He continued to hone his passion for flowers at the Shop with his wife Janet. In later
years, they took over Wilkins China Shop when his mother retired. In the mid 70’s, Peter and
Janet purchased a cabin on Dude Island where many wonderful memories were made.
Peter was an active member of the community. He was past president of the Jaycees, Past
Master of the Masonic lodge, Chairman of the BIA at which time
he convinced the Mill manager to donate the “Hallett” to the town of Fort Frances where it is
now a historical display at the sorting gap marina. Some may remember his good friend Barb
Berry making him a t-shirt which said “Now what do I do with the Hallett”. Peter was always a
supporter of the “Fun in the Sun” event. You would see him dropping flowers from a plane down
Main Street or balancing cars on cups and saucers in front of the China Shop. He was a strong
supporter of local business’ in Fort Frances.
Peter was a lover of music and shared this love with his family, whether they liked it or not. As
he would listen to the classical music and you would find him singing along or conducting as the
music unfolded. You could also look for the piles of black soil and there he would be, planting
some new grass trees or flowers. He took pride in his yard and was a perfectionist.
Peter was ambitious and wanted a new adventure. At the age of 41, he packed up the family
from the home he built on Elm Avenue and moved east of town where he established “The
Great Bear”. He loved the new challenge and it was a place for the whole family to work
together. The business grew substantially, but due to health issues he regretfully had to sell the
business and take some time off. He later built another family home on Sieg’s Point. The house
on the lake was the meeting place for the family as they all grew up and started branching off on
their own. Summer meant staying at Sieg’s Point and spending time with the family on the lake.
Being too young to retire after selling Great Bear, he worked for a short term as the Band
Manager of Couchiching and finally ended his working career at the MNR where he retired at
the age of 60.
Peter was a fun loving grandpa and would often be seen with a little one on his shoulders,
cruising around on the Gator, or with happy children screaming wildly on the tube behind the
boat. He was fiercely proud of his children, his grandchildren, and loved them dearly, and with
devotion. He looked forward to their visits and would always anticipate their return to their
house on the lake. He also loved his black lab Portia. He was a sensitive man that wasn’t
afraid to show his softer side.
Peter is predeceased by his parents Edward and Dorothy Wilkins, his brother Tom Wilkins,
sister-in-law Mary Wilkins and in-laws Leif and Eleanor Willer.
Peter is lovingly survived by his wife Janet of 52 years, his children Marion (Randy) Beamish of
Thunder Bay, ON., Sandra (Kevin) Enns of Minnedosa, MB., and Mark (Andrea) Wilkins of Red
Lake, ON., grandchildren Alexandra, Nicholas, Tristan, Kowan, Jordan and Brody, brother-law
Gordon (Dot) Willer of De Pere, WI. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place.
The family would like to welcome you to a celebration of his life on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at La Place Rendez-Vous,1201 Idylwild Main, Fort Frances, Ontario.
If so desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Riverside Health Care Foundation, 110
Victoria Avenue, Fort Frances, Ontario, P9A 2C1 or a charity of your choice.
Your life was a true blessing, your memory was a sure treasure, your sense of humor was
contagious, you are loved beyond words and we will miss you forever….
DONATIONS
Riverside Health Care Foundation
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Peter Winston Wilkins 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: fort-frances, Province: Ontario