November 16, 1948 - January 10, 2023
With shock and sadness, we announce Jeff's passing after a brief illness on January 10, 2023. His sudden passing is overwhelming for his two sons, John (Chantelle) and Jason (Natasha) as well as his brothers-in-law, Douglas, David (Barb) and sister-in-law Barbara (the Tribes.)Also mourning his loss are his two brothers, Dan and Bob. He was pre-deceased by his wife and best friend Kathleen, on August 13, 2022, as well as his parents, Ralph and Martha Peace.
Jeff was born in Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan on November 16, 1948. Living in Central Saanich, his family owned a mink farm and growing up meant hard work and no-nonsense. He had a wide group of friends growing up and it was through this group he met his future wife, Kathleen. They married on October 5, 1968, and while he brought along his hard work ethic to the marriage, there was now nonsense, good nonsense and lots of it. We always had a chuckle about the wedding toast to the new couple. When Kathy Tribe married Jeff Peace, her Godfather toasted them by saying "Peace had come to the Tribe at last." We're not sure that was true but they celebrated over 53 years of marriage.
Jeff was a truck driver by trade and his ability to manoeuvre his truck or his truck and pup at any type of worksite was the stuff of legends. He was a safe and conscientious driver who never took any days off and because of this, he was always in demand. He was supposed to retire when they moved up to Comox in 2005 but he didn't like being idle so carried on driving for another few years. Even when he decided to retire, he was always being called for this job or that. He finally gave up his Class 1 licence so he could retire finally retire for good.
He was also an extraordinary mechanic and could be counted on to repair any and all types of machines, from cars and trucks to weed eaters and lawnmowers. If it had a motor, he could fix it. His pride and joy was a rebuilt 1928 Model A.
He loved fishing and rare was the day he ever got "snookered." When he and Kathleen lived in Victoria, there weren't many weekends they (or he and a friend) weren't on the water in the wee hours of the morning. When they moved to Comox, the passion for fishing continued and many happy weekends were spent at the fishing camp of their friends Gary and Donna Barr.
Besides fishing, Jeff liked to create things in his shop. He worked with old metal bits and pieces like horseshoes, rakes, shovel heads etc. Sometimes he had a pattern, sometimes he didn't but he made many wonderful creations and creatures that reside in many friends' gardens or decks throughout the Comox Valley. His most ambitious project was a 10-foot cactus made entirely out of horseshoes which is proudly displayed at Barb and David's house.
His sudden passing has left us all reeling, particularly so soon after the death of Kathleen in August. His sons, John and Jason in particular, are feeling overwhelmed in trying to cope with more heartbreak and they and the rest of his family are struggling to make sense of it.
From growing up in Central Saanich to living in Comox, Jeff made many friends along the way, through work, slow-pitch days, car shows or fishing. He definitely had a wide variety of friends but there were two with whom he seemed to have a close bond; Lonnie and Gary.
We will miss him every day but hope that he has found Kathleen somewhere along the way and they are both at peace.
There will be a celebration of his life at a later date. In Jeff's memory, a donation to your favourite charity in his name would be appreciated.