GALLANT, Peter Arthur - Passed away suddenly at his home of 35 years on August 15th, 2020, at the age of 71.
Peter will be lovingly remembered by his friends and family. Peter was predeceased by his wife Linn of 31 years.
He is survived by his sister Gail and her husband Joe Visele and brother Paul Gallant. Aaron (Sarah), Kristina, John, Jesse and their families.
Friends will be received at the Ridley Funeral Home, 3080 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Etobicoke on Saturday, August 22 from 2pm to 4pm. A Funeral Service will be held following that at 4 pm. Cremation.
Donations to the Diabetes Foundation of Ontario or to the Royal Canada Legion Poppy Fund would be appreciated by the family.
At around age sixteen Peter worked for Don Russell's, a local drug store, doing deliveries. He entered into a Bicycle Safety competition run by Mayor Don Russell and was one of the Senior winners along with Valarie Eisan. Their pictures were taken and published in our local newspaper. His claim to fame.
At sixteen, Peter wrote tests for both his chauffeur and motorcycle licenses. Between Daddy, Peter and Paul there were always motorcycles around the house.
In his mid to late teens Peter worked for Mr. Pickford at the Queensway Hospital. This was the time they started paying for hospital parking. Can we go back? They charged .25 cents a day. He would spend his day in a booth at the entrance of the hospital collecting money.
Early on, Peter tried a couple of career options. First as an auto mechanic and then he tried his hand in sheet metal. Eventually he decided to drive tractor trailer. He did this for a number of years until he decided it was time to get off the road. At that time he started working for Premier Peterbilt in the parts department where he stayed for 30 years. After Peter retired, he decided to get a part time job and went to work as a Security Guard for approximately 5 years.
Over the years Peter worked as a bouncer at both The Almont and new Toronto (Boulevard) Hotels.
In 1985 Peter became a member of the Royal Canadian legion #3. In his 35 years Peter served as Sports Officer, 1st and 2nd Vice President and on the Executive committee. He was always there to lend a hand setting up and tearing down functions such as Remembrance Day, Canada Day and Labour Day.
Peter will always be remembered for his love of darts, golf stock cars and NASCAR Racing. As a young man, every weekend would be spent at Pinecrest or Flamboro Speedways. He would be in the pit working on his friends' cars. Pincecrest Speedway closed in 1976. Time to find another hobby. He loved watching fast cars. Right up until the end, Peter would never miss NASCAR or an Indy car race. He had apps on his phone to update him on all the races.
In the 80's Peter found his love of darts. He played in and ran dart leagues. He also set up and ran many a tournament. He had a group of friends and they would enter tournaments and make a weekend of it. He also played golf. This was something he would do with Daddy, Paul and Gail, among others.
In recent years, his wife Linn became sick and she became his focus. He took care her with the help of others right up to the end.
You and your big heart will be missed.
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