Peter Smale
Peter passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at the age of 79.
He was a longtime resident of Craiglee Nursing home and had been in declining health for some time. The COVID-19 virus restrictions meant that he had to rely on staff for all the help he needed. The individuals worked valiantly to help him as the system strained. Over Skype we could see staff giving him extra time, especially towards the end. Peter was a teacher at heart and he encouraged the staff to stay strong and know that things would get better.
Outspoken and smart like his mother and hardworking and productive like his father he weathered many health challenges and impressed most with his drive. His physiotherapists had to tell him to do less, not more.
Home schooled due to his health, he found his niche at university and completed a PhD in 1971 (“Don’t call me doctor.”). He taught for ten years until his health forced him to move into student counselling where he enjoyed helping many young international students do well at Acadia University. He was an amateur radio enthusiast and counted his friends in that community among his best. He would have gladly given it all up to be a radio DJ but that remained a happy dream.
He loved living in small town Nova Scotia and defended his beloved “Valley” above all else.
He excelled at woodworking and photography and he loved classic cars.
His friends are scattered around the globe so he wanted no service. He did not have one specific charity but he will be remembering hospitals he received help from over the years. He also supported MSF (Doctors Without Borders) and the two major schools in his life: Acadia and Waterloo.
Graham Maslin
I lived next door to Peter on Abigail Avenue in Brantford Ontario for the first 25 years of my life. Peter was a remarkable individual and a true friend. With all his health issues he remained positive at all times. I admired him greatly for being able to do that.
I remember all the good times we had over many years as children and adults discussing our love for cars, politics, electronics, our childhood neighbourhood, and any subject at all for that matter.
Rest In Peace dear friend.
Edita Hotkova
My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Words cannot express, how much Peter meant to me and to the staff of the Home, where he spent his latter years. Peter was always very respected and greatly thought of by everybody. Peter always greeted us with smile, his eyes lit up with love. Peter was always supportive of the staff , interested to help or give an advice in any way. He was always very generous, kind, smart with a great sense of humor.
It was a joy to be around him even if for only a few moments at a time. I miss Peter very much and I will treasure our memories together.
Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time. My heart is heavy with sadness.
With caring thoughts.
Friend Edita.
Roger Langen
I met Peter about 1971-72 when he came to Memorial University in Newfoundland to teach philosophy. We became instant friends. To my mind, he epitomized the spirit of philosophy itself – the question came first, the answer much later, if ever. This was, I feel, at the bottom of his humility, playful irreverence, and extreme generosity to others.
He deserves to be remembered by many, not a few. He gave, and gave, and gave. Yet he was challenged every day of his life, from childhood until the very end, by poor health. I believe that he used pain in order to live. He did not want attention for it, just the opposite. For him, it was like receiving a radio wave that needed to be amplified back out into the world, not on his personal account, but for others. His returning message was discerning, slightly ribald – if you didn’t mind sharing a laugh with him about the general absurdity of it all – but always caring. His ability to see you as an individual person, with a very individual life of your own, was terrific.
My wife, Veronica, and I will miss him greatly. As a friend of mine said who knew him but slightly, meeting him only a few times, he was “a rarity.”
Without a doubt, amen.
Roger Langen (and Veronica Eley)
Megan
Dr. Smale helped me greatly with my application to the B.Ed program in my final year at Acadia. (I was successful and have been teaching for more than 10 years now!) He was supportive and kind and I have thought of him over the years when thinking about my time at AU and my journey into teaching. I am sorry to hear of your loss.
Larry Pickard
Peter Smale was a friend that most people would wish they had. Peter was caring kind and non-judgemental. He was my loyal friend for over 75 years. We played together when we were young, went to school together and always visited when Peter was in University. Peter had many health problems all his life, but he never complained, being always positive. When he lived and worked in Nova Scotia we didn’t see much of each other but stayed in contact by cards and telephone. In his final years in the nursing home we kept in touch with Peter always interested about what was happening in my family life.
Peter, I will miss you my good friend. Rest in peace.
Darlene Tan
My deepest sympathies to you and your family!
My husband, Tommy and I have fond Acadia University memories of Peter as he didn’t want to be called Dr. Smale. I can’t remember if it was 1983 or 1984 when I met Peter through other Acadia University international students as I didn’t take Philosophy. He was a kind and gentle person with lots of wisdom. I remember he was so good with all of the international students who had the privilege to meet him.
We even had lunch or dinners at his place in Wolfville when we were students and after we graduated and moved to Halifax/Dartmouth area. One of the kindest things he did for us was take photos of our wedding at the Acadia In chapel and place them in an album as a wedding gift. These kind and generous gestures displays the type of Peter he was.
Unfortunately, as we moved further away, we had less of an opportunity to visit with him. I am saddened to hear of his death as I was hoping we would be able to visit with him. However, he will always have a special place in our hearts and memories.
Blessings to you!
Darlene, Tommy and Benjamin Tan
Sherri Turner
I worked with Peter in the Office of Public Affairs at Acadia University in the mid-1990s. He was so sweet, smart, and kind. It was a running joke that he never “learned” how to use the fax machine to send our press releases! It wasn’t inability – he was smart! My condolences.
Jay Atkinson
I have many fond memories of Peter from my time @ Acadia University. First semester of my freshman year I took Peter’s Introduction to Philosophy class. Through his contagious enthusiasm and wide ranging intellect I enjoyed the class very much and changed my major to Philosophy. In my sophomore year I received a departmental scholarship and served as Peter’s teaching assistant. Seeing him “behind the scenes” made us close friends and his raw humor and candid appraisals of life made a huge impression on 20 year old me. I played varsity soccer and wrestled @ Acadia along with rugby & team handball. In my final year I threw a party in my apartment beside the Acadia theater. Peter was the only professor i invited. It was American Thanksgiving and I remember taking the turkey out of the oven and there was Peter holding court with all the soccer and football and rugby players having a better time than anyone in the room. What a guy. I’m a professor in the writing program @ Boston University and my students call me Jay and flock to the “gluten and micro aggression free” parties I throw in my office twice a year — all inspired by Peter Smale, gentleman scholar and rogue.
Roger Langen
Great tribute, Jay. Dead on! — Roger
Bill Abbott (William Abbott)
I first met Peter in 1965 when I arrived at e University of Waterloo. He was always very friendly and cheerful, and devoted to learning. He had an engaging self deprecating sense of humour, and was always ready to help others. What was most snaking was how rapidly he would learn and his progress was amazing, going from what seemed to be acceptable to very accomplished and professional.
I gradually lost touch with Peter and regret not having had the pleasure of his warm and fun observations.
A pleasure to know him, and a man committed to masking the world around him better and friendlier.
Laura
I will always remember visits from this kind, smart, quietly determined man who lived down the street from me when I was growing up and shared so much of himself with my family. He will not be forgotten ❤️
Lori Scott
I am so sorry to hear of Mr Smale’s passing.
I visited with Mr Smale several times when he was still in Wolfville. I knew right away that he was a very special man. I enjoyed his stories about Acadia, his students and his hobbies . He will be missed.
Please know that you are in my thoughts at this difficult time.