February 13, 2025
In loving memory ~
The family of John Peterson is heartbroken to announce his passing from this earth, on February 13, 2025.
John lived well into his 92nd year, and so, despite our grief, we are proud and grateful that he was able to live a long and healthy life, full of passion, energy and character to his final days.
John was born to Swedish and Italian immigrant parents, Axel and Amelia Peterson, on July 31, 1932, in the small rail community of Farron near the Paulson Summit.
Axel was the CPR Section Foreman for this length of track in the steam engine days. Dad recalled fondly the many adventures that he and his older brother, Roy would have riding the rails to see other family in Christina Lake, befriending a deer they converted to a pet and tobogganing in extremely hazardous conditions with runs terminating at the edge of the busy rail track. Farron was also the location where he first established his love for huckleberries. Dad recalls many times returning with full pails that his mom would turn into tasty pies.
While having fun and experiencing adventure was always top of mind for John, schooling was also important and so the family sought to move to less remote CPR locations. They spent some time living in Tadanac (Trail) and then settled in Castlegar where John and Roy attended school and made fast friends with other lads in the neighbourhood. There are countless stories of happy-go-lucky times, riding motor bikes, playing hockey games and skating on the frozen Columbia River, summertime swims across the river to sneak orchard goods from Zuckerberg Island, and embarking on multi day fishing trips up Pass Creek.
The survival skills learned, and the friendships forged during this era lasted a lifetime. For John, these experiences also set the template for his life.
John started in the workforce early, where his endless energy, his work ethic and mechanical aptitudes served him well. Some of his early jobs included working for Cominco (now TECK) as a labour-miner in the various quarries in the Christina Lake area. Thereafter, John worked for the CPR as a talented dozer operator whose tasks included rail repairs and siding construction projects throughout the East and West Kootenay. Many harrowing stories come from this time, since his job exposed him to work on rockslides, in avalanche zones and within fast moving waters. By the mid 1950's, John recognized that his life would benefit by the grounding of family. It was his good fortune to soon meet the love of his life, Herta Bosinski whilst working in the Fife area of Christina Lake where she lived. They married in 1957 finding common ground in the pursuit of a simple but meaningful life.
Looking to spend less time living in a box car and more time with his family, John traded the CPR dozer lifestyle and sought out what would become his most favourite job, working as tugboat operator. John was first employed by Kootenay Forest Products working on the Kootenay and Duncan Lakes, and later for Celgar on the Arrow Lakes. John loved working on the water in all conditions and was known for his skill, speed and agility forming log rafts, sorting bundles and running on boom sticks. He loved the camaraderie and antics of the crewmates with whom he worked, and he established long lasting friendships with all. John completed the last 10 years of his career, working as an operator on the Castlegar Ferry until about 1986, shortly before ferry service was terminated.
John and Herta were very dedicated parents who mindfully raised their 4 children with an emphasis on healthy living, self-reliance and solid values. Their family started out with homes in the North Shore area of Nelson, and later (1969) they moved to a large property in Thrums that they quickly transformed into a productive farm. John and Herta worked as a team together raising cows and chickens and growing a large garden from which they fed their family, made preserves and sold produce. While mom, Herta took care of the nurturing side of life, it was important to John that his "kids" be as self-reliant as possible in their respective futures. Dad ensured that each of us learned the basics of engine mechanics, and had the knowledge to change tires, change oil and properly gap a spark plug. Mom and dad involved all the family in the annual ritual of gathering firewood and they ingrained in us the importance of family bonds and compassion as we supported his brother Roy when he became disabled due to progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Mom and Dad ensured that all their children had opportunities for post secondary education, and they continued to support us to current times as adults with families of our own.
Whilst imparting much wisdom and demonstrating many important lessons, Dad also made sure to pass down to us, his sense of humour, and the same sense of fun and adventure that he experienced in his childhood. Of his numerous passions, he was particularly keen to share his love for hiking in the mountains. Dad took us on countless backpacking adventures throughout Southern BC, often involving memorable bushwacking and scrambling. Dad's favourite route was the Kokanee Traverse which he would do sometimes 3 times per week: hiking from Gibson Lake to the Keyhole, across the Kokanee Glacier to Battleship Peak, then boot ski down to the old cabin and return down to Gibson Lake. John completed this route regularly until his 80th year.
John and Herta continued to live in Thrums until 2020 when they moved back to Nelson to spend more time with family and less time doing chores. John and Herta continued to enjoy their life together, prioritizing time for casual walks on rail grades, visits with friends and family and their favourite staple: listening to music in the evenings.
John was predeceased by his wife, Herta, in February 2024 after 67 years of marriage. Knowing that their spirits are joined again, provides solace to his surviving family, children Jennifer Fehr (John), Della Peterson (Mike), Brenda Veale (Ron) and Eric Peterson (Marian).
John will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren Aaron, Megan, Andrew, Tara and Axel and his great grandchild, Isabelle.
The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Czubernat of the Ancron Medical Clinic and Dr. Tuval and nursing staff at Kootenay Lake Hospital for their kindness and attentive care needed at various times during John's final years.
Also, a big thank-you to family friend, Gary who kept dad in a good supply of huckleberries through to his final days. Dad was a grateful man.
A graveside family service will be held at a later date.
For more information and to leave a message of condolence, please see the Thompson Funeral Service website at https://www.thompsonfs.ca