In Memory of Peter Edwards (1931-2019)

Last modified: 2022-06-09 by pete loeser
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Peter Edwards Coat of Arms Arms: Argent, a pavilion Vert, lined Ermine, in chief two swallows volant respectant also Vert. Crest: A cormorant statant Sable, beaked and membered Gules, its dexter leg raised and supporting a staff Or, flying there from to the sinister a pennant Azure, charged with the mathematical sign for infinity Argent.

Peter B. Edwards (1931-2019)           Royal Canadian Yacht Club      Whitby Yacht Club      Great Lakes Cruising Club Peter was born in Great Crosby, Lancashire, England, in 1931. He died on July 25, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. He was 88 years old. Peter lived in Toronto with his wife Patricia and two cats named Edward and Sophie. He was an enthusiastic contributor to FOTW. He specialized in the flags of recreational boating. He was a member of the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) for over 40 years and a winner of their Driver Award in 1993. Peter was Director of the Burgee Data Archive, a member of the Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques (FIAV). In 1950 Peter joined the British Army, serving with the 1st Royal Tank Regiment in the Korean War and later with the 13th Parachute Regiment at home. Settling in Toronto he was employed in turn by the Cunard Steamship Company, the Dominion Bureau of Statistics, and the Proctor and Gamble Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. Peter was a graduate of the Toronto Teachers' College, York University (BA) and the University of Toronto (BEd). He taught elementary school, junior high school, and high school in North York (1965-1989), ending his teaching career as the Coordinator of Cooperative Education. He served with the Governor General's Horse Guards and retired as a Captain in 1969. He was named a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto and, in London, a member of the Cavalry and Guards Club, the Guards Polo Club, the Honourable Artillery Company, and was a Liveryman of the Merchant Taylors' Company. Peter volunteered for twelve years with the St John Ambulance Brigade and retired as Ontario Provincial Commissioner. He was elected 14th president of the Heraldry Society of Canada (1988-1990) after which he established the Toronto Branch of the Society and served as its first President. In 1989, Peter was named a Fellow of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada. He was granted Arms by the Canadian Heraldic Authority in 1995. Switching from an early passion for racing and rally cars, after winning four Canadian International Winter Rally awards, Peter joined the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in 1962 and established their archival program serving as Honorary Archivist for ten years. During this time he received the Commodore's Award in 1992, the Ferguson Award in 2005, and the Hodder Award for cruising in 2006, and was made a Life Member of the RCYC. Peter was also a member of the Whitby Yacht Club (Ontario) and was formerly the Toronto Port Captain for the Great Lakes Cruising Club. Peter was a Fellow and a Special Collections Mentor at the Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum.

It is with great sadness that I communicate to all of you the loss of another great vexillologist, Peter Edwards of Toronto, Canada. He was the director of the Burgee Data Archives, a member of FIAV. Peter died this past July 25 at 1:59 pm of serious cardiac complications. His contributions to FOTW were of great vexillological value. He will be missed.
Gus Tracchia, New York City, New York, USA

Peter Edwards was a major contributor in the area of yacht club flags. Those who specialize and are enthusiasts in this area will understand the great loss this area of study has just experienced.
Rob Raeside, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Peter died suddenly of a rupture in his intestine at 1:59 in the afternoon. He was the love of my life and the pain I am feeling is unbearable.
He loved working on his computer researching flags for Flags of the World. It was incredible how he could be so excited about the subject. Thank you for giving that opportunity to him.
The Doctor said to have lived to be 88, to have exercised the morning before he became ill, to never have been sick and to die in a day and a half was a life we would all like to have. I shall miss him every day I have left.
Patricia Edwards, Toronto, Canada

This is indeed very sad news about Peter Edwards' death. Peter was not only a well respected vexillologist, specializing in Burgees, but also an absolute gentleman and friend. I have had the pleasure of knowing Peter, and his lovely wife Patricia, for about 35 years. Together they have attended a number ICV's, including, but not exclusive to; Melbourne - 1989, Victoria, B.C. - 1999, Berlin - 2007, Alexandria, Va. - 2011, and most recently in London - 2017. Peter was also planning to attend the very recent ICV 28 - San Antonio, but had to cancel shortly before. Both personally and on behalf of Flags Australia, he will be greatly missed, and deepest condolences to Patricia. Rest in Peace.
Ralph Bartlett, Co-Founder & Secretary, FSA - Flags Australia.

I am really shocked. I recently was in touch with him per email, and he gave me interesting information about NRV.
Patricia has my deepest compassion.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, Hamburg, Germany

I personally met Peter Edwards first at NAVA 52 in Quebec City. At the meet and greet Peter came up to me and pointed at a couple of small metal military awards on my lapel that my friend Jim Ferrigan convinced me were proper to wear that night. Jim had actually helped me get them displayed properly on my lapel. Peter asked me where I had served, and I replied I was a Vietnam veteran. He informed me he was a Korean War veteran. On his jacket pocket he wore an impressive rack of ribbons, which he dismissed as not as important as my two small pins. With a big smile he thanked me for my service, and I fired the compliment right back to him, which started an on-going routine at the meeting between us where each time we saw each other we would smile and thank each other for our service. This continued after NAVA 52 with each correspondence we had. I will miss this silly banter with him. In fact, I so enjoyed his rack of medals that afterward I actually went out and purchased the necessary miniature ribbons and medals to mount a rack like his and had planned to wear them at the next NAVA meeting when we met, but sadly it was not meant to be.
Peter's enthusiasm for flags, especially the burgees of yacht clubs, was outgoing and infectious. His research into obsolete and rare yacht club flags is quite amazing. There are hundreds of images and text entries we would not have now on FOTW except for his efforts. I understand Peter and Ron Strachan were working together on a book on yacht club burgees, I hope Ron gets it published, and I hope to see it in print. We have all lost a true gentleman and friend with Peter's passing. My heartfelt condolences to his family for their personal loss.
Pete Loeser, Morgan Hill, California, USA

I am absolutely dumbfounded. Peter Edwards was a good friend and long-time correspondent. His knowledge was intense and his generosity was universal. He is greatly missed and my sincere condolences to Patricia and the rest of his family. My flag is at half-staff.
Dave Martucci, Washington, Maine, USA

I had not known Peter very long, but he was one of the most gracious, complimentary, and encouraging people I ever knew. Recently, he among others was assisting me as we researched Scottish Royal crowns and their usage. Peter's knowledge of all things "British" royal was invaluable, and his connections to the Royal College of Arms and other institutions was extremely helpful.
I was going to write him the weekend after he passed and update him on a conversation Graham Bartram and I had during ICV last month regarding the Scottish crown drawing project. This is one of those times where I wish I could go back and do something a little sooner.
Peter will be missed although his legacy to vexillology and FOTW will endure.
Clay Moss, Plain, Mississippi, USA