July 30, 1943 - October 31, 2019
Peter died surrounded by family on October 31 after a brief battle with cancer. Peter was born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1961. His trade was radio broadcasting and he served as military police. He was stationed in Baden-Baden, Germany for 3 years during the Cold War. From 1966, he was a radio broadcaster at stations in Kelowna and in Nelson BC where he was sports director and did play-by-play for local hockey teams.
He graduated with an Honours BA in History from Simon Fraser University and was awarded the Governor General's (Gordon M. Shrum) Gold Metal in 1973. Peter graduated with his LLB at UBC in 1976. He articled at the prestigious Harry Rankin firm. He was called to the bar September 1977 and was in private practice in Vancouver and Courtenay BC. He practiced criminal, family, and civil litigation in Gastown, then joined Beck, Robinson.
Peter practiced law in the Comox Valley for 10 years from 1981 with Swift Datoo Doherty across all areas of litigation including criminal, matrimonial, and motor vehicle.
He was appointed to the BC Provincial Court bench May 30 1991 in Campbell River. He transferred to Courtenay in July 2003, and presided there until his retirement in August 2018.
Over the years, Peter has been a member of the Canadian Legion, the RCAF Association, Community Service Director for the Courtenay Rotary Club, President and Vice-President for the Nanaimo County Bar Association from 1986 to 1987, President of the Courtenay Bar Association and the Provincial Council of the Canadian Bar Association - BC branch, and volunteered with Courtenay Fish and Game.
He was an avid cyclist, swimmer, golfer, skier, driver, and fisher. He had a love of books, cars, jets, motorcycles, art, baseball, hockey, football, travel, and his cat. He was bright, practical, and respectful, and he had a great sense of humour. He held strong opinions and deeply held ethical convictions and he enjoyed debating. He was devoted to the community.
Peter was predeceased by his father, James "Jim" Doherty, whom he deeply loved and respected, and who inspired him to become a lawyer, by his mother Harriet Mildred Myles, by his sister Catherine Thompson, and by his brother Jerry Doherty.
Peter is survived by his sister Elaine St. Helene, several nieces and nephews and their children, and by his daughters Shannon and Catherine, and his son Kevin (Shannon Moore), and the children's mother Grace.
Private cremation arrangements.
You were loved and you will be deeply missed.