Dat Peter Vu Guestbook

[Andra]

I knew Peter for a very short period of time but because of his openness and friendliness it was easy to get to know him. He had an infectious personality plus he was happy-go-lucky both of which made him fun to be around. I admired his courage in life and I think Peter could be the poster person representing courage.

I enjoyed the little chats we had in the Plus15 during work hours and how he made me laugh the couple of times snowshoeing with him but what stands out the most when I think of him and what makes me smile is his voice. He always had lots to say. One Sunday morning I was running along the pathway by the river and I heard a voice away off in the distance. I recognized it right away because it is so distinct. I knew it was Peter and looked all around but couldn’t see him anyway. After running about half a mile, around the corner he came running with others chatting away.

While the memories I have of him are few, they make up for tenfold in quality! It was my privilege to have known you! Rest in peace Peter!

[Mandy]

One of the last times I got to talk to Peter was on a Sunday morning along the pathways of the Bow River. I was volunteering for a walk and he took a break from his bike ride (on the way to go running with the club of course) to chat. I had biked down that day with my new mountain bike, and Peter started teasing me again that if I didn't start going to club mountain bike events soon and put my bike to use he was going to steal my bike. (He already attempted to steal it from me once before despite the fact that it's a woman's bike and it's mint green!) I am sure next summer that I will do a few face plants and various wipeouts in his honour...I just hope I will laugh as much.

[anickers]

Peter - Dat to people who know him from his Chevron days. When I told him about the COC - he was eager to join and right away said he would beat me in # of events. Looks like he did with style. I only have 344 to his 377, but then all i do is hike, while Peter did everything and made many friends along the way. I am very grateful to all the COC people who stepped forward to help him through this difficult journey, there are so many who did and stayed right to the sad ending last night.
He had a special and funny way of saying my name so it sounded like aaaaaaan, I will really miss that, plus all the chats we had over the many years I have know him.

[margm]

I had the honor of being the coordinator for Peter's very first COC event - skating at Bowness Lagoon. I instantly liked Peter, his enthusiasm and good nature while learning to skate for the first time with the help and guidance of Rhonda and other new COC friends. It was a joy to know you Peter and you will be missed by many.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's messages and memories of Peter. A beautiful tribute.

[MarkMacG]

I met Peter a few times playing tennis. He always had a wild, blistering serve that was a challenge to return. One time he asked me if he should make his serves easier and I told him not to.

If he was going to bring his 'A' game to the court, then it behooved me to endeavor to play at his level. Eventually, I learned how to return his serve.

I only hope to learn how to more intensely live my life in the manner that Peter did.

For myself, I will be raising a quiet pint in a pub somewhere, saluting a man who knew how to live life and how to make the most of the time he had.

Here's to you, Peter.

[gordp]

Peter was on my first COC event (I was a guest on an urban ride in Aug 07) and until a week ago was my most active event buddy (after my wife that is).

He taught me how to throw discs forehand - in a pub parking lot if memory serves me correctly. He also helped keep Michelle and I fit for the last couple months, we walked up the 10 storys to his hospital room over a dozen times and the 9 flights to his condo a few times.

Moab or Lougheed or any COC event - none will be as good without ya' buddy!

[raymcgarry]

For Peter there was no messing about. If he was going to do something, he was going to throw himself in at the deep end with more enthusiasm than you would have thought possible. Sometimes the consequences were comical, other times painful (the Amasa Back incident in Moab springs to mind!), but nothing dampened his enthusiasm.

I always really enjoyed playing tennis with him. However hard I would hit the ball, it would always come back a little bit faster until we were both running around like a couple of Tasmanian devils. It probably wasn't particularly stylish, but it was certainly a lot of fun.

Of course, he approached everything in the same "all guns blazing" fashion - even talking! Rumour has it that he didn't stop talking for the entire drive to Moab last year!

Peter - you will be sorely missed.

[rhonda]

My original post in this thread has been amended to include details on Peter's service.

[Dana]

Peter was an extraordinary individual - I don't know too many people who can make literally everyone laugh, people with this kind of energy...he was THAT kind of a person.

I met him back in 2007 and he is truly one of those people you'll never forget - because of his energy and passion of life, as well as his whole life story. He attended a few of my swimming/deep water workout events - and even in the water he kept on talking the whole time - I can't remember what he was talking about, but I do remember a few of us almost drowned laughing!!!!

[rhonda]

So, this isn't *my* story to tell, but it's a great one and must be shared.

This is the story of how Peter got his nickname, "Screaming Peter". Everyone who knew him knows that it was SO apt, and the way he got it was SO Peter.

Peter was a loud talker (uh, yeah...) and one day he ran into a COC member who he knew a little, but not well. In the interests of privacy, we will call her "Bob". He ran into her in a very public place... we will call it "Safeway". So, in pure Peter loud-talkin' fashion, Peter says to her something like the following... "Bob! You are looking so good! Your skin is so clear! You must be having sex ALL THE TIME!".

You just had to love Screaming Peter. <3

[mickey]

.. this post is on behalf of Kurt Turchan

"I met Peter on only two trips, and the laughter was non-stop, I'd say he was already living every day to the fullest, perhaps this was his gift to us, and I'd say if so, he touched many and helped them see how beautiful life can be. He chose to spend it in nature - yes, often coming to an abrupt stop on it - with many like minded friends. Peter's card game skills in Fruita will not be forgotten either! Kurt Turchan"

[annalisa]

I have had the privilege of being on 18 events with Peter, mostly tennis and poker events. For someone who had a small physical stature, his presence was larger than life. His personality and his wonderful spirit and vivaciousness - and his heart - were so much bigger.

Peter only allowed himself to play poker once every three months - any more than that would not reflect his financially responsible nature. He even talked about his belief in this very recently in hospice when I told him about the last game held at Beth's house. But when he played, he took risks - he liked to raise the stakes! He could be quite an aggressive player and gave it his all, just like he did in the various outdoor activities he did.

Peter was a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court. He was a powerhouse! I remember being in awe of his strong forehand, even on our last event together on September 30, a short while before he was hospitalized the first time. A few weeks later he was in hospital, telling me he was convinced that he didn't have cancer. How I wish that would have been true.

When Peter was in a more social (less active) situation, he was dangerous and "Screamin' Peter" would rear his head! I have had a similar experience to "Bob" with Peter yelling embarrassing things to me across Wendy Hearn's living room at a social event she hosted. He was able to embarrass me like no one else could! And even if they could, they wouldn't have been able to get away with it the way Peter could. How could anyone stay mad at Peter?! It was impossible.

I will miss you Peter, yet I know your spirit will live on. Thanks for making me smile and laugh so many times. Your love of life, optimism, dignity, and grace shown throughout your illness inspired me greatly and I will be forever grateful to have known you. Rest in Peace!

Anna-Lisa

[andreafreeman]

Peter had that rare combination of confidence, honesty, and humility that allowed him to display his wonderful loving and joyous nature. May we all be blessed by his memory that we may make our lives better for having known him. I was able to visit Peter briefly last monday and so thankful that he could leave the hospital to wish me a happy birthday back in November. My sincere thanks to all of you who would visit him more frequently while he was ill on behalf of all of us who couldn't.

[odin]

This is how I remember him Lol, always EATING!!!

http://public.fotki.com/calgaryoutdoorc ... html#media

He was a good soul...

[sdg555]

I always had a riot with Peter playing Ultimate Frisbee that Duane coordinated. You always wanted to be on his team and did not want to play against him for some reason! He was fast and quick, hard to cover but always a blast to play with. Lots of good memories there for sure.
Shocking news for me as he seemed fine when i saw him at Euchre a month ago at Sylvia's. Rest in peace Buddy.

Steve