It is with great sadness to announce that Peter Chun Li Wu passed away in his sleep shortly after 4 AM on Saturday, March 12, 2022 in Vernon Jubilee Hospital. At the end, he was comfortable, pain free, and was able to leave in peace and dignity.
Peter Wu had just turned 86 years old – he was born on March 7, 1936 in China. He was a survivor. As a young child of 4 years, he hid under the kitchen table when Japanese bombers flew overhead in WWII. When he was 12 the Chinese Civil War ended and he fled to Taiwan with his father, younger brother and older sister. Unfortunately his mother and three sisters remained behind in China and the family was separated until the 1970’s. He married wife Nancy in 1964 in Taiwan and had 2 sons there. He was a hardworking immigrant and came to Canada in 1969. His young family joined him a year later in 1970. He eventually established his own company and became a successful businessman in Vernon. He was married for 46 years to wife Nancy and raised a family, and felt that he had really reached the pinnacle of the Canadian dream.
But before he could enjoy his retirement, he was brought down by a near-fatal stroke that half paralyzed him for the last 25 years. If there was one thing that could have characterized his later achievement in life, it was to never let the stroke stop him. He was determined to live as well as he could, and the family was never sure if he was just too stubborn to let anything stop him. Despite his handicap he made numerous trips throughout Canada, the U.S., Taiwan and China. Many of these trips were by himself after his wife Nancy passed away in 2010 from cancer. In Spring 2021 the doctors gave him 5 months to live and he outlived expectations by 6 months. On March 11, 2022 the medical staff thought he had 1 or 2 hours to live early that morning, but he held on for the entire day, knowing his son was coming to the hospital to say good bye in person.
As an immigrant, he placed a great deal of importance on education. He lived long enough to see his 2 sons graduate from university, get married and have successful careers and a family. Then watch his 3 grandchildren all go on to university. He passed away knowing that he was able to accomplish so much for his children and grandchildren, which is what he had always wanted.
But in the end, the effects of cancer and stroke was finally too much for him. Towards the end his mind was still clear enough to communicate with his family. After his grandchildren said their goodbyes to him, he finally slipped away. His family will sorely miss him.
Peter is survived by his 2 children George (Carole) and Henry (Jo); his grandchildren David, Alexander and Laura; and his sisters, nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his wife Nancy and brother John.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Peter Chun-li Wu March 12th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Vernon, Province: Colombie britanique