Obituary for Peter Mortimer-Rae - Chatham Celebration Centre
On the morning of August 22nd, 2022, Peter John found his way home to his beloved late wife, Katusha. Born in France, raised in England, and living most of his life in Canada, Peter John was a dynamic, vibrant and interesting man who was highly respected by many.
A fascinating storyteller, Peter John had no shortage of fodder from his war-time boyhood, to a collection of boarding school pranks, to his military life with the RAF, a life he loved and one he missed on finally giving it up. As a man of conviction with a desire to make a difference, on leaving the RAF he turned his attention to social work, teaching, and eventually indulging his love of art by becoming a gallery owner.
Peter John was a talented artist, whose works continue to stir the soul and allow us a glimpse of the world as he experienced it. As a boy, he wanted to pursue this passion but his father was against it. In many respects, he was as uncomplicated as he was complex, a straight-shooter with a razor-sharp wit who loved simple pleasures along with the finer things in life. A glass of good wine, a quiet life in the country, puttering in the garden and watching the wildlife that visited…these were amongst his favourite pastimes.
Combining his love for the military, his respect for the Church, and his interest in being of service to those in need, Peter John belonged to the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, and was honoured to bear the title of Chev. PJ Mortimer-Rae, OStJ, KCLJ, CMLJ.
As an Honorary Colonel, he was also deeply involved with the 78th Fraser Highlanders, a historical society whose primary mission is to preserve an important piece of history and the memory of the original Regiment.
He is survived by his daughter, Samantha (John) Jackson and grandsons, Riley Jackson and Rhys Jackson. He was predeceased by his only son, Darryl, and the love of his life, Katusha Mortimer Rae. There was no service at Peter John’s request.
A fascinating storyteller, Peter John had no shortage of fodder from his war-time boyhood, to a collection of boarding school pranks, to his military life with the RAF, a life he loved and one he missed on finally giving it up. As a man of conviction with a desire to make a difference, on leaving the RAF he turned his attention to social work, teaching, and eventually indulging his love of art by becoming a gallery owner.
Peter John was a talented artist, whose works continue to stir the soul and allow us a glimpse of the world as he experienced it. As a boy, he wanted to pursue this passion but his father was against it. In many respects, he was as uncomplicated as he was complex, a straight-shooter with a razor-sharp wit who loved simple pleasures along with the finer things in life. A glass of good wine, a quiet life in the country, puttering in the garden and watching the wildlife that visited…these were amongst his favourite pastimes.
Combining his love for the military, his respect for the Church, and his interest in being of service to those in need, Peter John belonged to the Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, and was honoured to bear the title of Chev. PJ Mortimer-Rae, OStJ, KCLJ, CMLJ.
As an Honorary Colonel, he was also deeply involved with the 78th Fraser Highlanders, a historical society whose primary mission is to preserve an important piece of history and the memory of the original Regiment.
He is survived by his daughter, Samantha (John) Jackson and grandsons, Riley Jackson and Rhys Jackson. He was predeceased by his only son, Darryl, and the love of his life, Katusha Mortimer Rae. There was no service at Peter John’s request.