MICHAEL ROBERT PETERS

A gentle, beautiful soul, Michael graced everyone he met with a warm down to earth kindness and compassion.  Mike as most people knew him, shared a wry sense of humour with everyone, and could make people laugh with ease. He would happily help any neighbour or friend that needed a hand.  Sadly the light in his eyes began to dim in latter months as he became increasingly troubled with anti-police protests, campaigns, growing public hatred and cynicism toward police officers.  World events only made things much worse and Mike struggled to cope with these new realities.  He was suffering immensely and grasped for help from all those around him with whom he sought comfort.  A life, which began in Winnipeg, on March 11, 1977, was tragically ended on February 21, 2021.

When Mike first joined the Winnipeg Police Service, graduating in 2005, he took pride as a young constable (Badge #2446) with the desire to truly help the citizens of Winnipeg, much like in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Kenneth G. Peters.

Mike’s truest passion however was aviation and flying at which he was so talented. The opportunity to take to the skies gave him the greatest joy.  Anybody who had the opportunity to fly with Mike saw the gifted pilot for which he was.

Mike spoke fondly of the time he served with Royal Canadian Air Cadets and then as an officer where he eventually climbed the ranks to serve as a Commanding Officer for a local air cadet unit.  He had many memorable summers working in Cadet Movements and when he achieved his pilot’s license flew the tow plane for the Regional Gliding Centre during his summers before enrolling and being accepted as a constable in the Winnipeg Police Service.

Mike was raised and schooled in Transcona.   As a young child, Mike loved his matchbox cars, lego, his red BMX bike and all types of vehicles, as well as McMeans Avenue block parties.  Mike loved most of all to spend time with his family in Arnes, MB at the “farm” with his parents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.  He found refuge at the cottage at Little Deer, and had embarked on various projects as well as just enjoyed tinkering with his truck and other yard machines. Simple tasks like mowing the lawn or clearing snow off the driveway were equally enjoyable.

A beautiful life cut too short by the immense pain for which he saw no way out but with a tragic end.  He leaves to mourn in deepest sorrow his parents, Robert and Beverly Peters, his dear sister Mandy (André), niece Maya and nephews Samuel and Luc, mother-in-law Carole Tattersall, (late father-in-law John), sisters-in-law Virginia, Jennifer (Thomas), brother-in-law Richard (Sally), and many special aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family. Forever left to cherish his everlasting love, his wife Catherine Tattersall.

“Fly as the wind from every quarter; climb high, hesitate and tumble. Yet above all, know when it is time to fold your fragile wings.” Rest in peace my love.

The family wishes to thank the police members who participated in a final farewell vehicle procession saluting his dedicated service.  Due to public restrictions there will be no memorial service at this time.  The family hopes to have a private farewell at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Salvation Army, D’Arcy’s Animal Rescue Centre or a charity of your choice.

The Pilot’s Desiderata

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Discover your far horizons; but embrace the sky softly, quietly, so that others of your kind may follow.

Know your limitations from moment to moment and be humble when the elements are against you.

Accept advice from those before you, seeking out their truths.

Use your temper as a catalyst to keep you advancing; guarding it with vigilance though, lest you be obliged to bite your tongue.

Leave your mistakes behind you, noting their lessons as part of your tuition for learning.

If you quit and you will want to - beginning again will be lonely.

You cannot know the color of the truth unless you wear its cloth; therefore, let honesty itch your mind, gleaming conspicuous in the eyes.

If you become a hostage to fear of the unknown, challenge it with tenacity; keeping in mind, however, that only a fool is fearless.

Remember how lucky you are to see and touch the sky; the blind may only dream.

Be the opportunist; the forever hesitant are losers.

In each of us there is conflict, daydreaming versus reality. May dreaming prod your curiosity, but reality wield the sword.

Expect the unexpected. It will develop an awareness for Murphy’s Law: if something can go wrong - it will.

Your time on this earth is a perpetual flight plan cancelled with your passing; you are wise, then, to spend each day as though it were your last among those of the living.

You are entitled to complain; use maturity if you do.

With your wings you will receive wisdom, courage and joy, but moreover you will have joined the college of a thousand friendships; never forget them.

Fly as the wind from every quarter; climb high, hesitate and tumble. Yet above all, know when it is time to fold your fragile wings. Remember, you are not God-like, but a mere mortal, vulnerable - a pilot, and that is world enough.

– Thomas F. Legg

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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