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The COC is very sad to announce that Dat Peter Vu passed away at 10:10pm on Feb 6, 2010. Peter joined the COC on October 17th, 2006, and attended his first event on January 27, 2007. He was at the top of our "most active members" list for close to a year, and attended 377 events in total (resulting in 1371 "event buddies"). It was not unusual for Peter to attend multiple events in one day, including a whopping four events on June 14, 2009. Peter had an enthusiasm and positive energy, as well as a gentle and generous heart that inspired all who had the privilege to get to know him. Peter passed away at the Agape Hospice, surrounded by loving friends, as he was, almost continuously, from the time his illness was discovered. Please post your thoughts, comments and memories in this Guestbook.

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There will be visitation services today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday) from 6-8 pm at Heritage Funeral Home. The address is 1708 – 16 ave NW. I believe the Vietnamese community was planning to hold a mass for Pete tonight between 7-8 pm if interested.

A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Thursday at Sacred Hearts Church. The address is 1307 – 14 Street SW. I am trying to organize a reception at the church after the service, but I have to clarify this with the reverend. He mentioned that the schedule was tight - I will update after I know more. Please note that the funeral service will include only the urn. I booked the two nights for visitation if anyone wanted to say a few words to him before he is cremated.

There is an obituary for Pete in the Calgary Harold today and the Calgary Sun tomorrow. Here is the link for the Harold today.

http://www.legacy.com/can-calgary/obitu ... rchresults

Everyone who knows me knows that I love to tease, and Peter was not spared from that, by any means. My favorite Peter story is that I liked to tell people that "I am rich - I know, because Peter Vu told me so.".

I had lunch with Peter one day - we worked in the same building in downtown Calgary. He said that he was surprised that I worked because he had heard through the COC grapevine that I was independently wealthy, having "cleaned up" in the dot-com boom. Although I wish that were true, it isn't, but I loved tormenting Peter by telling people (especially when he was around) that "I'm rich - Peter Vu told me so!". He always would blush and bluster that he didn't start the rumor; he'd just heard it. I assured him that I knew that, but it was so much fun watching him blush and bluster that it became "my Peter story".

Thank you, Peter, for your wonderful presence in the COC. You were truly a shining example of what our community can be.

Now... can we get someone to tell the story about how Peter got his nickname, "Screaming Peter"??

Peter was the only guy I knew that could ride with one hand while eating a sandwich with the other. You always knew you'd be in for an entertaining ride when Peter was along. His enthusiam was overwhelming and a great example for everyone to follow. We'll miss him this year in Moab where he always made the highlight reel while performing his own most dangerous stunts but always with a hugh smile on his face afterwards while dusting himself off. God bless buddy.

Mark P.

Peter Vu was one of those guys that you knew was going to make an event more fun. We had many chats about events and girls he liked and his thoughts on how the world worked. It always struck me what a loyal person he was. He was a kind person.

I have great memories of being on skiing, ultimate, and running events with him. He said the word "man" a lot. You know, man. With that crazy squeaky voice you usually heard him before you saw him. The end of his life on earth will send ripples. We are all richer for having known him. He absence will be felt in our COC community.

Peter was a member of our Gargoyle team for many years. He was an entertainer. Hitting on the girls from our team to the other team. Loved to play soccer. Told us he couldn"t get his picture taken because he was part of the witness protection program. Also said he couldn't afford anything because he made minimum wage. He had many stories he would like to tell. Which we laughed everytime. He will be sadley missed. Love ya Peter

Kristie ( and the gargoyles)

Whether you played tennis, went hiking or cross-country skiing with Peter, his energy was one of a kind. I used to tease him how strong and lengthy his serves were at tennis and frankly if it was not for the tall fence between the tennis court at Acadia and the football pitch next to the courts, tennis balls would have disappeared at the speed of light.

Another interesting experience was being stuck on highway 1 for 3 hours one day without the car moving (due to traffic congestion) with Peter and a couple of friends coming back from a cross country skiing event. I thought I was talkative until I met Peter! His attitude toward life was simply admirable. He was so appreciative for all the support from the COC gang in recent months. Countless times, talking about the COC activities and his COC friends made Peter happy as it brought so many great memories for him. Peter will be truly missed.

Veronique

I am sorry to know about this...He had so much energy.

This is very sad news. Peter will be greatly missed. I still remember the time Peter went flying off a jump Mountain Biking on the Red Earth trail and he got up laughing. Also, the time he forgot his helmet and couldn't ride with us on the Minnewanka trail, so he went for a stroll in downtown Banff. And of course, all mountain bikers will remember the spill he took on Amasa Back in Moab while being video taped and again got up laughing! He was always happy and full of energy, and added joy to every event he participated in.

Martine

Peter had a mountain bike skill that no one else had. He had the ability to mountain bike while telling you a story, crash, get up, and the whole time continue to tell his tale like nothing happened. It still brings a smile to my face. He was an extraordinary guy and this is how I remember Peter Vu:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy21mFq48gI

Tracy Kay

My first event with Peter was definitely one that I won’t forget. It was a bike ride and halfway through Peter went to Canadian Tire to blow up his tire that was going flat. He met us on the way back with his great attitude and rearing to go on with the event. No stopping him.
The next one that comes to mind is a hike and he kept telling me that he was in the Witness Protection Program. Me not really knowing Peter tried to respect that but I am way too camera happy and kept saying oops to him when I got him in a picture. I realized as the event went along that he really was not in this program. It was his great smile and the twinkle in his eye that definitely gave him away. As well during this trip, he took ownership of another member’s dog. I loved watching him whip by with the dog leash around his waist enjoying the ride.
In this little time with Peter, I knew that there could never be a dull minute with him. His spirit and down right ability to strive on no matter what the moment gave him is always what I will remember about Peter.
I will move forward with my life honoring this great message that Peter gave me.
My prayers and thoughts are with those people that were very close to Peter.
Janet

I only met Peter once but he made quite an impression. He was full of mischief & laughter. He told me that he didn't want his picture taken & I always referred to him as our International Man of Mystery". My thought and prayers go out to his family & all who had the priviledge to know him.

Ho Peter! What a model of energy you were. I played ultimated frisbee with you, biked, kayaked and snowshoed. I am very sad that you had left us. You left so quick. You will probably be better in rest out there and will enjoy seeing us having fun as you would have. We will miss you in our events. May you rest in peace!

I've hiked with Peter on two events. He was so excited about everything on the trails and his exuberance was sooooo contagious !!

He will be missed dearly, and his smile will shine thru heaven brighter than the sun

Here's a pic of Peter's zest to enjoy every moment no matter how cold the water is !!!

http://calgaryoutdoorclub.fotki.com/2007/07/4489/petertestingthewatertemp.html

tracaroo1 wrote:Peter had a mountain bike skill that no one else had. He had the ability to mountain bike while telling you a story, crash, get up, and the whole time continue to tell his tale like nothing happened. It still brings a smile to my face. He was an extraordinary guy and this is how I remember Peter Vu:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy21mFq48gI

Tracy Kay

Wow... that's some face plant...

Peter was a very kind hearted and welcoming individual who could talk like nobody I've ever met before. I'll all ways remember Peter for the way he welcomed my daughter Willow to ultimate Frisbee. Showed her how to pivot, how to throw, encouraged her and made sure she was very much a part of the game. Thank you Peter for being exactly who you were. Awesome