Leslie "Peter" Pyke

Leslie Clossin “Peter” Pyke

North Sydney

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Leslie “Peter” Pyke, on Friday April 2, 2021 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.

Leslie, more commonly known as Peter, was born in North Sydney on February 15, 1930 to Henry and Christine Pyke who predeceased him.  He grew up in a large family with 12 siblings.  He was a fun loving, sometimes mischievous child and youth.

As a young man, Peter fell in love with and married Ruth Best.   Ruth and Peter had three children, Yvonne (Lawrence) Bailey, Brian (Joanne) Pyke and Karen Pyke (Greg Popovich) all of North Sydney.  Brian predeceased his parents in 2012.  In the autumn of 2019, Peter lost his beloved wife and companion of 67 years. Peter was a beloved grandfather “Poppy” to Tammy, Troy and Todd Bailey, Ashley, Scott, and Dennis Pyke, Michael and Stephanie Popovich. He was also a beloved great grandfather to his 17 great grandchildren.  His love for children shone as Ruth and Peter cared for not only their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, but also for the 52 foster children they took into their home. One child, Illya Starr, especially stole their hearts.  Peter’s passing will leave a big hole in many peoples lives.

Peter worked for Marine Atlantic from his youth to his retirement.  He was also a lobster fisherman for over 50 years. One of the highlights of his lobster fishing years was when Peter and his grandson, Dennis won the prize for the biggest lobster caught that year.  Even when he was 90 years old, he was still on his beloved boat, the Julie & Sharon, doing what he enjoyed, pulling in lobsters.

Peter had a very dry sense of humour and he loved to laugh.  He worked hard all his life, but he also knew how to relax and have fun with his family.  He told his children, “I have had a good life”.

In addition to his two daughters, his grandchildren and his great grandchildren, Peter is survived by his brothers; Milton, Austin, Henry (Carol), Leroy (Lily), and Harvey (Marian) Pyke, sisters; Enamarie (Bill) Summerton, Millie (Cecil) Moores, Gertie (Ritchie) Aylward, and Polly (Ron) Hosking. Also, sisters-in-law; Edna Pyke and Ruth Slade. His brothers Frank and Ray Pyke as well as sister Shirley Pentecost predeceased Peter. 

The family would like to thank the Medical Staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for their care and support for both Peter and the family.

Visitation for Peter will be held 7-9 p.m., Tuesday April 6th, in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Covid-19 protocol regarding the wearing of masks, social distancing and limited seating for the visitation and funeral service will be in place. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 7th in the Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Pastor Franz Unger. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Bags of Love (Seventh-Day Adventist Church).  This is a program that gives quilts and toys to children taken into the Foster Care System. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com .

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