There was nothing that really stood out about Peter Deeks. He wasn't movie-star handsome, he wasn't fabulously wealthy and he wasn't a great athlete. But everything Peter was and did and stood for in his 64 years was - all who knew him would agree - quite outstanding.
Peter was born into a solid middle-class family in Toronto, the second of three boys. He grew up in Forest Hill, attended Upper Canada College (when it was still very much a neighbourhood school) and the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont., graduating with a general BA in 1967.
Not having any definite idea of what he wanted to do with his life, Peter rather halfheartedly signed on as a trainee sales representative for Manufacturers Life. As such, he took a different approach to sales, promising himself that he would never sell life insurance to anyone who didn't need it or couldn't afford it, and wouldn't pursue his close friends to sell insurance unless they called him. Clearly, his formula worked: By his mid-40s, Peter was the youngest sales rep in Manulife history to achieve the company's top level for sales.
In 1972, Peter married Wendy Morgan. Together they produced and raised two delightful girls, Sarah and Jocelyn. He was a devoted family man, and successful enough to provide a second home in Florida and a farm outside Toronto.
Aside from family, Peter was dedicated to - but never a master of - golf. His love of the culture and history of the game extended to his membership in the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. And a devotion to the charisma, character and high standards of Arnold Palmer.
Shortly before his death, Peter achieved some widespread notice at the time of Mr. Palmer's 80th birthday, for a prank he pulled back in 1967. On a dare from friends, Peter called Mr. Palmer at 1 a.m. on Dec. 25 to wish him a Merry Christmas. To his shock, he got through, and had a pleasant chat with The King for nearly 10 minutes. More than 40 years later, the anecdote was printed in Golf Digest magazine.
Last fall, within four days of visiting the hospital for tests, Peter was diagnosed with cancer of the liver. Within 60 hours of the diagnosis, he was gone.
While family was Peter's greatest legacy, his greatest achievement was in building a huge circle of friends, all of whom were united in their respect for his integrity and their appreciation of his kind and humble personality. For a simple guy who just sold insurance, Peter attracted a standing-room-only crowd at his funeral. Such a shame he wasn't there in body to see it, nor the birth of his first grandchild, Alexandra Grace, less than two months later.
John and Jim Deeks are Peter's brothers.