Due to government-imposed restrictions related to COVID-19, attendance will be restricted to a limited number of individuals, personally invited by the family. You are welcome to attend the service through a livestream broadcast. Click on the above tab to register.
Peter Traves Heppleston, known as “Pete” to his siblings and “Hollywood Hepp” to his submarine buddies, was born on May 26, 1954 in Brockville, Ontario. On June 4, 2021, at the age of 67, God took Peter back to Himself while he was doing one of the things he loved best – riding his motorcycle.
Peter attended Brockville Collegiate Institute, and then worked as a brakeman for CNR, before beginning his career with the Canadian Navy in March 1976. He proudly wore his submariner’s “dolphins” for the rest of his life, and even after retirement from his military career in 1996,he continued to actively serve in the Submariners Association of Canada (Central Branch), including in the role of President for 4 years. After his military service, he worked as a defence contractor, and eventually joined the public service in the Department of National Defence for about 11 years until his retirement in 2018.
If you ask anyone who knew Peter, the first thing they would say about him is that his sense of humour was larger than life. Indeed, Peter had a true gift for making people laugh. He equally enjoyed spending quality time with those close to him, discussing things of the heart. He had a lifelong passion for motorcycle riding, and also enjoyed travelling, RV camping, and listening to 70s rock and roll and blues.
Peter was a faithful husband and devoted father and “Poppa”. He never felt he was too old to get down on his hands and knees, make goofy cartoon voices, and fire pillow torpedoes on stuffed animals posing as pirates. He was a natural life teacher. He transmitted his great sense of fun and his faith in Jesus to his daughter and grandson.
Peter will be dearly missed by so many. Most especially, he will be missed by his wife Nancy; daughter Marianne Botting (Michael); grandson Elias; brother John (April); three sisters Jacqueline VanSchaik (Tony), Rea Jansen (Terryl), and Adrienne Simkins (Larry); father-in-law Bill Savidant; two sisters-in-law Cindy Forbes (Peter) and Michele Arsenault; and many nieces and nephews, for many of whom “Uncle Pete” was their favourite uncle.
He is predeceased by his parents, Traves and Ruth; his sister Margaret (RJ); mother-in-law Noreen Savidant; and his brother-in-law Marc Arsenault.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in memory of Peter be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or to Wounded Warriors Canada.
I [Jesus] will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
(John 14:18-19)
Digital Guestbook
Jerry Brown
Richard and Pam McGowan
Marianne, Mike and Elias
It's such an honour to have be en able to be part of this service, and hear about the great man who was your dad.
Memphis Don
My sincere condolences to the family
Tony Palmer
My sincere condolences to Nancy, Marianne, Elias and Pete's greater family.
I first met Peter in 1983 when we sailed OJ together and we became firm friends. It's hard to believe some 38 years later we wont bump into each other at our SAOC meetings and submariner social gatherings. Hollywood, you were a legend; a man amongst men. Until we meet again shipmate, Dolphin 36 (Submariners are super) and Dolphin 49 (Happiness is 500 feet in a Force 10).
"Doc" Mossman
Beautiful service. Condolences to the family. RIP Pete.
Ted Stiles
I loved that man. I got my Silver Jubilee medal because of Peter. He was such a pleasure to volunteer and work with at our Submarine AGMs. I met Peter on the Panel as Trim. Heaven will certainly be in for a surprise. Dolphin 36
Louise Kaddatz
To me you were Uncle Pete, to my two daughters, great Uncle Pete and great - great Uncle Pete. You were a great Uncle!. You loved your family and always lit up the room with your great sense of humor. You made family get-to-gathers fun and full of laughter. You left us doing the very thing that you loved the most. We will miss you.
Rob and Diep Jackson
Beautiful service. Our sincere condolences to the whole family. Peter was a fun, intelligent, man and his witty conversations will be missed around the late night campfire. Rest In Peace buddy.
Mary Brassard
My sincere condolences to Nancy, Marianne and family. I will miss seeing his friendly face at the superstore. He was a very kind man, loved his family.
John Heppleston
It has been Two (2) months since the passing of my brother Peter. The internal repercussions of his passing will be felt within me for the rest of my life. I know that he has moved on and I am confident that he, by the grace of God, is just fine however we that are left here on this mortal plane will miss him in so many personal ways.
I will remember you in my prayers and continue to ride with you in my heart, always. We will meet again a little farther down the road and we both know that that road goes on forever. <JH>
It was an honour to know Peter, I owe so much for helping me thru my time of the loss of Linda last year.
We will all miss you.
Fair winds and following seas.
DBF