I first met Peter in September 1972 when we were first-year students in the journalism program at Humber College in Toronto. I last saw him November 16, 2010, when he dropped me off at the Tucson airport for my return trip to Ottawa. I never for a second thought it was a final farewell.
Over our 38 years, Peter dealt out lots of good advice. I didn't always listen but on three pivotal occasions I did.
In the late 1970s and early 80s, I struggled as a freelance writer and supplemented my income as a waiter. The trend was less and less writing, and more and more waiting tables. I hated it. About 1981, restaurants began using crude computer terminals to track orders and bills. In training, I aced the devices and helped fellow waiters with problems.
Peter immediately saw the obvious lateral connection (as he always did) and suggested I study computer programming and use that skill to make income instead of waiting. So, I did just that. I finished a 13-month course in 9 months, but before I could look for a job, Peter had another bit of advice.
Peter was helping an upstart software firm in Ottawa, Quasar Systems (soon to be renamed Cognos), with marketing. He told me they needed a technical writer, and he suggested it would be a great way to combine my love of writing with my interest in computing. I contacted the company, had two interviews, got the job, and moved to Ottawa. I began May 1, 1983, and have been a technical writer in the Ottawa area ever since.
In the summer of 2007, I wrote an historical fiction story and sent Pete a copy. He advised in the strongest terms that I turn it into a book. Peter, who knew my greatest dream was to be a published fiction writer, said, “Shaun, you’ve finally found your voice.” After getting similar advice from two other friends, I did write it.
Update: the book was self-published in 2012 and dedicated to Pete.
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