Obituary for Peter Sinclair
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Peter Thomas Sinclair passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on November 26, 2022, with his loving family by his side, at the St. Lawrence Lodge in Brockville Ontario. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Alexandra Sinclair (nee Weil); his children Connie (Bruce Hill), Tom (Dale Robertson) and Julie (Paul Poulin); his grandchildren Winston, Lincoln, Gregory, Emma and Olivia; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Susan McGibbon and Helen George, several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Anne Sinclair and his parents Thomas Albert Charles Sinclair and Anne Olivia Sinclair (nee Dawson).
Born and raised in Westmount Quebec, he was an avid alpine skier from an early age, helping his parents operate their Puffin Club ski hill in St. Sauveur. He and his sisters also enjoyed summers at Lake Manitou where he acquired many of his athletic skills. Later, many younger admirers braved the waters of Lake of Two Mountains just to have Peter show them the “fine art” of water-skiing. Peter’s physical abilities and self-assurance made him a gifted natural dancer, who floated across countless floors with grace and exuberance. He and Alix were regulars at the annual Montreal St. Andrew’s Ball for many years, setting a standard for effortless elegance.
He graduated from McGill University in 1962 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA in 1968. He was also President of the Zeta Psi fraternity. He later attended the executive MBA program at Harvard Business School. He had a brilliant, inquisitive and creative mind. Peter believed that everything worth having was worth improving. He loved renovating every home he owned, with an unsurpassed ability both to imagine things that had never been, and yet to see all the details that would be required to bring them to fruition. He was a mechanic
of great skill and ingenuity, and his classic cars were the envy of all who saw them, and especially those select few who were deemed worthy to drive them!
In his professional career, Peter was the essence of a natural leader. He moved through the corporate ranks at CIP and ultimately became vice-president in the Gypsum division for Domtar Inc. before being tragically stricken with bacterial meningitis at the age of 47, forever altering the course of his life. He was highly respected for his drive, relentless optimism and belief in his team. He inspired loyalty and devotion from his colleagues long after his business career had ended. Peter was a man in motion; never content with the status quo, his desire to see
what was possible made everyone around him better.
After moving to Brockville, Peter and Alix continued their lifelong commitment to helping others through volunteer work. They were active members of the community, giving of their time through programs such as Meals on Wheels and Newcomers. Peter’s generosity of spirit touched all those who knew him, even as his physical capacity diminished. He will be sadly missed.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the St. Lawrence Lodge for the compassionate care provided to Peter.
A memorial service and reception will be held at Irvine Memorial Chapel at Roselawn, 2451 County Rd 15, Maitland, ON on Friday, December 2 at 1 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
Donations in Peter’s memory may be made to either:
Faculty of Engineering at McGill University by mail to: Donation Services, McGill University Advancement, 1555 Peel St, 9th Floor, Montreal, QC, H3A 3L8, Canada or online at alumni.mcgill.ca; or to St Lawrence Lodge, 1803 County Road 2 East, Brockville, ON, K6V 5T1 or online at stll.org/donate.
Send a message of condolence or share a special thought of Peter on the Memory Wall above.
Peter Thomas Sinclair passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on November 26, 2022, with his loving family by his side, at the St. Lawrence Lodge in Brockville Ontario. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Alexandra Sinclair (nee Weil); his children Connie (Bruce Hill), Tom (Dale Robertson) and Julie (Paul Poulin); his grandchildren Winston, Lincoln, Gregory, Emma and Olivia; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Susan McGibbon and Helen George, several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Anne Sinclair and his parents Thomas Albert Charles Sinclair and Anne Olivia Sinclair (nee Dawson).
Born and raised in Westmount Quebec, he was an avid alpine skier from an early age, helping his parents operate their Puffin Club ski hill in St. Sauveur. He and his sisters also enjoyed summers at Lake Manitou where he acquired many of his athletic skills. Later, many younger admirers braved the waters of Lake of Two Mountains just to have Peter show them the “fine art” of water-skiing. Peter’s physical abilities and self-assurance made him a gifted natural dancer, who floated across countless floors with grace and exuberance. He and Alix were regulars at the annual Montreal St. Andrew’s Ball for many years, setting a standard for effortless elegance.
He graduated from McGill University in 1962 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA in 1968. He was also President of the Zeta Psi fraternity. He later attended the executive MBA program at Harvard Business School. He had a brilliant, inquisitive and creative mind. Peter believed that everything worth having was worth improving. He loved renovating every home he owned, with an unsurpassed ability both to imagine things that had never been, and yet to see all the details that would be required to bring them to fruition. He was a mechanic
of great skill and ingenuity, and his classic cars were the envy of all who saw them, and especially those select few who were deemed worthy to drive them!
In his professional career, Peter was the essence of a natural leader. He moved through the corporate ranks at CIP and ultimately became vice-president in the Gypsum division for Domtar Inc. before being tragically stricken with bacterial meningitis at the age of 47, forever altering the course of his life. He was highly respected for his drive, relentless optimism and belief in his team. He inspired loyalty and devotion from his colleagues long after his business career had ended. Peter was a man in motion; never content with the status quo, his desire to see
what was possible made everyone around him better.
After moving to Brockville, Peter and Alix continued their lifelong commitment to helping others through volunteer work. They were active members of the community, giving of their time through programs such as Meals on Wheels and Newcomers. Peter’s generosity of spirit touched all those who knew him, even as his physical capacity diminished. He will be sadly missed.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the St. Lawrence Lodge for the compassionate care provided to Peter.
A memorial service and reception will be held at Irvine Memorial Chapel at Roselawn, 2451 County Rd 15, Maitland, ON on Friday, December 2 at 1 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
Donations in Peter’s memory may be made to either:
Faculty of Engineering at McGill University by mail to: Donation Services, McGill University Advancement, 1555 Peel St, 9th Floor, Montreal, QC, H3A 3L8, Canada or online at alumni.mcgill.ca; or to St Lawrence Lodge, 1803 County Road 2 East, Brockville, ON, K6V 5T1 or online at stll.org/donate.
Send a message of condolence or share a special thought of Peter on the Memory Wall above.