ForeverMissed
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William Peter Main Trueman (1934-2021) died on July 23, 2021 in Toronto after a brief journey with cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, community volunteer, sponsor, and friend.

He was also a well-known Canadian journalist. Born in Sackville New Brunswick, he began his career in Ottawa in the mid- 1950’s at the Ottawa Journal. At 23 years of age, he became a columnist for the Montreal Star in New York and moved into broadcasting —first at the CBC during the 1970 FLQ crisis and later in 1974, as Global Television’s original news anchor. In semi-retirement, he was host and managing editor of the Discovery Channel's award-winning series Great Canadian Parks and oversaw a series of documentaries for the History Channel featuring national historic sites.

In everything he did, Peter Trueman was a larger-than-life character, not only because of his 6-foot 5-inch stature, but also because of the many lives he touched with his wisdom, humour, humility, and outspoken observations of everything from world events and Canadian history to the environment and his concerns over the changing face of journalism and role of TV news.

In the early Global years, he frequently smoked a pipe, and was often nicknamed “the professor” or “the preacher” for his serious approach to honest journalism and his drive to explain the day’s events in an accurate and thoughtful way. He ended his nightly newscasts with a commentary and closed with the well-remembered phrase, “that’s not news, but that too, is reality.”

He also took many young journalists under his wing, including future Global National anchor Kevin Newman, and CTV Health reporter Avis Favaro, and mentored many throughout his five-decades-long career. As one former colleague, George Wolff, so eloquently stated recently: “He shared so much of himself and his experience and his deep convictions with me, and with his support staff at Global, and even with the audience in his nightly commentary. We all know him for that and appreciate him as much more than a colleague; he was our friend and respected mentor.”

The future of his chosen career concerned him deeply, however, as evidenced in his 1980 book Smoke and Mirrors: The Inside Story of Television News in Canada. These concerns led to his early retirement from television by 1988. “TV itself, by pandering to the lowest common denominator,” he wrote, “has debased North American standards to such a degree that before long, the people who want better television will have only each other to talk to.”

Peter cherished his wife Eleanor, celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary last December. Over the course of their marriage, Peter and Eleanor moved 20 times, mostly with three kids -- Anne (Brad), Mark (Krithia) and Victoria (Chris) -- in tow from New York, Virginia, Washington, Ottawa, Toronto, Amherst Island, and Kingston. But it was the 23 years that Peter and Eleanor spent on Amherst Island in semi-retirement that Eleanor refers to as “the golden years” that the family cherishes the most. His 11 grandkids (Sarah, Leo, Claire, Eleni, Leah, Joshua, Kathryn, Martha, Eva, Devin and Grace) all remember the thrill of sitting on his knee for his semi-raucous version of “This is the Way the Ladies Ride” with a loud hobbledy-hoy refrain, his tall hugs, important life conversations and gracious smile. His sister Sally and her children, Paula, Oliver and Claire also enjoyed visits and special occasions to “The Island.”

In 2001, Peter became an officer of the Order of Canada, and in 2013 he was also awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal for significant achievement and remarkable service. These awards held particular significance for Peter as his father, Dr. Albert William Trueman, also became an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1974 for his work in university administration and teaching Shakespeare.

But the medal Peter Trueman valued the most was the one he received on his first anniversary as a member of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1970.  He would go on to have another 50 years of sobriety after that. During that time, he was a very active participant, helping and sponsoring others undergoing the same struggle, always no more than a phone call away for anyone who needed a hand.

Through his studies of Canadian history, and extensive travels in Canada during his career, Peter developed a deeper appreciation of Indigenous culture and the on-going journey to a true reconciliation with all Canadians. Donations may be made in his honour of his memory to Indspire | A richer life for Indigenous youth starts here



February 18, 2023
February 18, 2023
I cannot believe that somehow I missed paying tribute to Peter on this site. I had the privilege of meeting Peter in 1970 and he took a picture of me which I still cherish out in front of his home at the bottom of the Avenue Road, across from De La Salle Oaklands.

I have read all of the above tribute to Peter, and I got to know him as a fellow traveller on the road to recovery. We spent the early years having lunch, two or three times a week with a group of our friends, and Peter was always a few years ahead of me in age and wisdom. He was a man I had to look up to physically and metaphorically. I can remember his first week of global television, my friend Brian and I went up to the studio, and Peter was always gracious and welcomed us, and had a sit off to the side while he did his newscast.

As it has already been said, so eloquently, and sincerely, Peter was one of the most intelligent, kind, and considerate human beings, I have ever known. 

As a result of Peter’s influence on me, my family and I moved to Amherst Island where I got to know Eleanor. Peter and our friendship blossomed at the Amherst Island men’s group on Saturday mornings.

You are missed.

January 6, 2023
January 6, 2023
My condolences to the Trueman family.
I had the privilege to meet Peter in the 90's while working at Camera Kingston, in Kingston. 
I was surprised to see him at the counter and tried to stay cool while I helped him purchase a camera. We spent quite a bit of time looking over a couple of different Nikon camera models before he purchased one. I have met a few famous people while working and think of them and wonder what they are photographing now. 
So sorry to hear of Peters passing. 
- Sonia
July 31, 2021
July 31, 2021
My condolences on the death of Peter. I am an amateur genealogist. I was very happy one day to find Peter in my Keillor-Trenholm lineage. He had a great career and is a respected broadcaster that I missed on the airways the last few years. .   Sharon Reid, Moncton, N.B.
July 30, 2021
July 30, 2021
I'm passing by and saw this it a pity that we lost you here on our planet we meet in heaven where no separation again
July 30, 2021
July 30, 2021
My condolences to Peter’s family. I was also thrilled to work with Peter on Great Canadian Parks after having been a fan of his work as a journalist. I will never forget travelling with him in Northern Alberta, walking down a trail sampling raspberries while discussing where we would set up the next shot when our ranger guide suddenly came up on us in a panic. There was a young black bear happily munching on the same raspberries just on the other side of the bush. We were oblivious to the bear, but it obviously knew we were there and could not have cared less about our TV dilemma. I loved sharing a laugh about that and travelling with a champion of Canada’s Wild Spaces who wanted everyone to experience their majesty.
July 29, 2021
July 29, 2021
It’s hard to believe that Peter Trueman is gone. His presence was like the great traveller stones in front of our house on Amherst Island that he passed most every day, walking with his camera. Over the 20 years we both lived as neighbours, we came to know Peter and Eleanor as among the most beautiful parts of that island paradise. One night, when we were having dinner with Peter and Eleanor, after my wife and I had been married 10 years, I asked him when the conflict and adjustment might end, and he said with that mischievous grin, “Year 11.” And everyone laughed because it was suddenly so clear and obvious that marital struggles are a part of life.
Peter and Eleanor touched everyone lucky enough to know them, and his quiet presence and his strong and gentle principles became a part of every life he touched. When my wife Lynn came out of a coma from a brain aneurysm, he brought her one of the photos he had taken in front of our house. It was sunrise and golden light was filling the trees, the grasses, the still water of the bay and the reflection in the puddles from the heavy rain the night before. To me that picture was a metaphor for his gift as a person, he filled the world with that kind of light, and if water can be a metaphor for love in all its many forms, then that picture was Peter Trueman for me.
He was a man of such strong principal, and those principles included a sense of compassion for human weakness and vulnerability and he had the rare ability to turn that compassion into understanding and forgiveness. The only place he was more rigid in his principles were his expectations from his own profession as a journalist. He believed the news should reflect a deeper understanding and a broader expression of what was important in the world, of what should be important to the precious institution of a free press.
He loved nature and the way he could capture it with his camera was beautiful. If you listen to what he wrote in describing the documentary series on the great national parks in Canada, you will understand his profound love of nature in this country, he will hear it in his gentle voice. He loved people, and somehow he made people know it, and that’s a gift that few people have the way he did.
Like so many others, we loved Peter Trueman and his presence will remain inside those he touched the way the great traveller stones on the third concession of Amherst Island remain where he would walk every day in what Eleanor called the golden years of their life.
July 28, 2021
July 28, 2021
Eleanor, I was saddened to hear of Peter’s passing. I had found myself thinking about him more than once through this pandemic. I still remember fondly his encouragement to go ahead and teach the Chi Kung and Tai Chi class we had been left with. I am trying to ‘grow old’ with the grace and humour Peter shared with the world.
I am sorry for your troubles; please know you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers through this time.
Rev. Terry Deline
July 28, 2021
July 28, 2021
I missed Peter even as he retired from Global News many, many years ago and now even more so with his passing. I was privileged to work with him - first by long distance as he co-anchored from Toronto and later as the sole anchor in our Ottawa news bureau. Every day he wanted to discuss every reporter’s story and to make sure the ‘Intro’ he had drafted was appropriate. I learned from him through example - report the news straight up, get it right and on time. My thoughts are with Anne and Mark, two of Peter and Eleanor’s children that I worked with closely for many years. John Burke
July 28, 2021
July 28, 2021
Andrea and I send our deepest sympathies to Eleanor and the entire family. We will miss Peter deeply but, as we can all read from the countless tributes, he will not be forgotten. His legacy lives on in all of us that knew him. He was wise and kind and he left everyone richer for the time they spent with him. How lucky was I to travel to remote parts of Canada with Peter. It was a joy to experience those sacred spaces. The days were made even more special with Peter, and his deep appreciation for those protected lands. As Peter would often say, that time we spent in the wilderness was - "astonishing". And, so too was our friend Peter.
July 28, 2021
July 28, 2021
Peter and Eleanor generously hosted the 90th birthday celebration for Louise Seaman, nee Trueman, my late mother in law, at their lovely home on Amherst Island. Louise was Peter's aunt and the party was attended by Louise's grandchildren, friends and her children Lorna and Andy. Peter and Eleanor were gracious hosts to me and Andy on a few other occasions over the past 20 years and it gave me and my family great pleasure to have Peter and his immediate family come to a dinner party at our home in Halifax to celebrate his award in 2001. I so enjoyed Peter's candour, intelligent conversation and humour.
His obvious love of Eleanor and his family was an inspiration . Peter will be deeply missed.
July 28, 2021
July 28, 2021
So sad to hear about Peter. My first job in television was working for Global's Ottawa Bureau and on the World Report. Every night I was in the studio with Peter as one of his studio cameras. I just loved the way he presented the news each night and always looked forward to his Commentary at the end of the newscast. Such a respected journalist and I will always remember how kind he was to me. Condolences to all of the Trueman family. 
July 27, 2021
July 27, 2021
My heartfelt condolences to the entire Trueman family. When I started at Global in 1982, Peter filled me with awe. To me, he was everything a journalist should be.  Smart, analytical, and philosophical. Someone who cared deeply about the work. He had such an easy grace about him and then he sat at the anchor desk in the newsroom before each show to read all the wire copy and write scripts, he was literally and figuratively the centre of journalism at Global. I knew I had arrived in a big-time newsroom because of him. He was so much an inspiration for me that almost 40 years later I'm still in the news business, still trying to live up to his standards. 
July 27, 2021
July 27, 2021
Condolences to Eleanor and family

Warm, trace memories of being neighbours on Wood Avenue (Ottawa) led by my parents Anne (Perley-Robertson) and Floyd Caza
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
I'm so sorry to hear about the news of Peter's passing. Eleanor, Anne, Tory and Mark....I know you from the Wishing Well Alateen group back in the 1970's. Peter spoke at my mom's one year medallion. I know that he was well respected and influenced many in the program.       
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
I had the pleasure of meeting Peter, Eleanor, Anne and Mark when my husband John worked with Peter at the Global Ottawa bureau. Peter was always approachable and so down to earth. I remember my parents were visiting the bureau one evening and the newscast had just ended. Peter came out and said hi to me and then turned and asked who my guests were. My parents were delighted. Peter was their favourite news anchor. John always spoke highly of his time working with Peter, Anne and Mark. My deepest condolences to Eleanor, Anne, Mark, Tory and the Trueman family.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
I had the incredibly good fortune to have Peter Trueman as a mentor and teacher early in my career. He was always generous, patient and principled; and a champion of me and of my work. He taught me to be a better writer, listener and storyteller. I will always treasure my friendship with him and the remarkable experiences we shared documenting our Great Canadian Parks. Peter was truly one of a kind.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
The Island misses Peter and Eleanor.
Peter was “just Peter” here, a worker improving everything he touched.
My last memory was observing him composing his journal with a fountain pen, on a ferry crossing.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Let me add my own sincere condolences to Eleanor, Anne, Mark & Tory. He had so many friends and colleagues, even complete strangers who feel a sense of loss today. I had the privilege of knowing you, Peter's immediate family. ! want to extend my sympathies to you, those who were closest to this extraordinary man. We were all fortunate to share in his life.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Our heartfelt condolences to the entire family.
Peter and Eleanor lived across from us in Don Mills in the late seventies.
I was in labor and needed an urgent ride to the hospital. My husband was at work, so Peter offered to drive me instead. When I was wheeled into the hospital, I was welcomed as "Mrs. Trueman" .
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
I send love and condolences to Eleanor, Anne, Mark and all the family members feeling this loss.

As others have said, Peter was always an inspiration to those of us who worked in television journalism and on his team. I always appreciated how much he cared about the quality of TV news and how he advocated for its integrity in the face of pressures to make it more like entertainment. He was also a warm and humble human being.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
I met Peter in Kingston years back - he and Eleanor lived at Mowat Avenue.  Peter was such a giant-- a humble gentle man.  I am a tall lady and Peter's hugs were a stretch even for me.   My condolences to the family.  Blessings always.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Dear Eleanor and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Peter was a wonderful human being in all possible ways. The two best years of my professional life were with Peter at the anchor desk.

Jan Tennant
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Aline and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Eleanor, Anne, Mark, Tory and their families.

One of the best memories of Peter I have is how excited the kids would get when they got to visit Peter and Eleanor on Amherst Island. Miles before arriving at the mainland dock the kids would start up a chant, “I can see the ferry boat, boomanana boomanana!”

The island was a magical place for the kids to roam among the hay bales in the fields, walk the rocky beaches, feed chickadees, skate on frozen ponds and drive down the Emerald forty-footer to the village variety store. And of course, Peter’s signature grandkid-pleaser, ‘This is the way the farmers ride, hobbledy hoy, hobbledy hoy!

It was a privilege and honour to know Peter and spend many hours at the dinner table talking about everything from funny old boats and motors, to the state of journalism, to world events…and then back to funny old boats and motors again. 

We will all miss him terribly, and we’ll never forget how much happiness he brought into our lives.

Phil Jenkins
Aline Gélinas





July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Very saddened to read this, and ever grateful I had the opportunity to meet and visit Peter and Eleanor at their lovely home on Amherst Island. My condolences to Eleanor and the family, Peter will never be forgotten, he really was one of a kind, and larger than life.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Peter was honest, wise, generous, empathetic, humble, with a sense of humour. I knew that much within minutes of first meeting him. Within those few minutes he made me feel as though we had been friends for life, and made me wish that indeed we had been. It has been a privilege, Peter. Thank you.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Peter and I shared an office at Queen’s where we were both Skelton-Clark Fellows. He would only be in from Amherst Island once a week – Wednesdays I believe. I came to look forward to his midday arrivals and I am sure I occupied much of his time there as I queried him on his career, what life was really like in the media and, in a word, the real goods. With humour and candor he spoke about his career and his battle with demons. I am sure I was a royal pain in his butt but he was never short nor less than candid with me.
I eventually published and Peter wrote a column about the book in the Kingston Whig Standard. In it, Peter acknowledged my inability to “swither” which was a term he apparently had gained from his mother which I took to mean as being anything, but ambiguous. It is one of the best complements I have ever received and I still have what we wrote. Peter reminded me of no one else and a true original and we have lost a giant but are fortunate to have him for as long as we did.

George Hood
Kingston
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021

Sad to read about the passing of Peter who was a great friend to myself and many others in the program.We would gather for brunch on sundays after a meeting and share stories and provide support to fellow members all with a view to seeing the humorous side of the human condition.[
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
Such sad news - Peter was always a kind and polite person in my days at Global. Deepest sympathy to his family and a great loss to his colleagues.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
I never met Peter but I always thought he was a wise and thoughtful journalist and news anchor. There was something honest and transparent in him that seems to be lacking so much today. May God comfort the family at this time and surround them with love. 
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
My very first job in television was working at the Global Ottawa bureau. Peter had moved to Ottawa to anchor the evening News. It was a small studio that was staffed by both seasoned camera people as well as a few of us less experienced souls. Peter was always the calm that was surrounded by the storm of television news. Always supportive and the best example of what a news anchor should be. Heartfelt condolences to Eleanor, Mark, Anne,and Victoria and the rest of the Trueman clan.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
For me, Peter was Global News. He radiated integrity. It was an honour in my early days at Global to write for him occasionally. And then was such a treat many years later to interview him for 16X9 on his memories of covering the Kennedy assassination. He was the journalist I wanted to be when I grew up. My deepest condolences to my friends Mark and Anne and the entire family. 
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021

I met your dad/granddad/friend Peter when my family and I had just moved to Amherst Island in 2001. Shortly after he received the Order of Canada (brilliance in journalism) and some folks on the island were having a small party to honour him and I can't remember who asked me to do a roast of him, but I agreed. Other than his professional career, which was stellar, ( read the obit below) I knew nothing about the man on a personal note so I made corny jokes. He was a tall man. So I wrote this one line "Everybody looks up to you except for Donny on the boat."( Who was taller) After that Peter and I became fast friends. "Donny on the boat, says hi" He'd say every time we met. He'd corner me at parties and delight me with witticisms. There was nothing more delightful for me than sitting next to him at a party and listen to his astute observations of life and social conduct. Like me, he felt socially awkward. His best line (which I think I confiscated)." I hate small talk. I can't think of anything stupid enough to say." "Don't retire Deb or all you will do is eat cheese." We were both walkers and he'd tell me what he saw on his daily walks. We wouldn't see each other for weeks at a time but when Peter and I met we got down and dirty. He was a spiritual man who taught me to trust the process of life and staying in the moment. I was 15 years sober when I met him and I still lost faith in myself a lot and he'd remind me that a questioning mind was a burden and a curse." Kid, you and I don't tolerate dogma or fools gladly. That means we have a harder time of it than the people who swallow life hook, line and sinker. But I tell you my subversive thoughts keep me entertained on a cold winter's night." We laughed and debated often heatedly. He'd even take notes when I chatted "to fully understand what I meant."Often I'd get hot under the collar and leave frustrated that he didn't understand my concepts. But a few days later he'd drop a book in the mailbox that he thought I'd benefit from. These books were the kind of book a brilliant man would read, and often challenged my narrow view of life. They often came with a note- I think he knew I could be prickly about unsolicited advice- he'd demure-" Hey kid, you might want to write about this in your comedy routine." A lot of people tell me what to write in my comedy routine (which I always ignore) but Peter's ideas were suggestions I'd ruminate about. Beloved Eleanore and I became friends and on island walks, she taught me to slow down and listen to the changing sounds and sights of the north shore vs the south shore. I'd witness her develop her brilliant watercolours at Shirley's Friday afternoon art classes. She too was gentle, funny and watching her, as a steady counterpoint to Peter's energy, was a masterclass in marriage. With a look or a touch of his arm, she'd soften him. ( or annoy him LOL) He adored her and said women know how to be part of a community naturally so he began the Amherst Island Men's society, beginning with discussions of lofty ideas and ending in pancake breakfasts that funded the community projects. He believed in service. Hands-on- "Put your money where your mouth is service. Service of others is all we can do." He schooled me how to be a good neighbour. "Let people come to you. Who do you really want to let into your world? " He helped a lot of people get sober and always looked out for those in the community on the island who needed care.

There was an AA meeting on the island for a few years and often there were only two or three of us in attendance. As I'd drive up the hill to the church where the meeting was I'd think no one will be out on a night like this. But the kitcehn light would be on and Peter was often making coffee. One member had extensive health issues and a lack of mobility but well into his seventies Peter always picked him up and made sure he got comfortably seated.

After we both left the island once in a while I'd meet Peter on the street in Kingston and within two minutes we'd talk about deep things from St. Ignatius to atheism, to discussing dying. ( we loved discussing death.) He came to my shows and book launches and nothing pleased me more than looking out in the audience and see him laugh. I still see that big mouth of teeth and face folding onto itself. It made my night.

We lost touch over the past few years but I feel deeply impacted by his insights and wisdom. In this obit, Elenore said the island years were their golden years ( for me too) but knowing your dad ( and you Elenore) were my golden times indeed.
July 26, 2021
July 26, 2021
It was special to work at Global TV when Peter Trueman was there. He was such a fine gentleman, such a great journalist. He was also so kind and complimentary to 'us kids' starting a new program there. He truly stood above. A 'class act' and an inspiring Canadian.
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
So honored to have started my television career working with Peter. He was so kind to me. I will always remember the way he presented the news, the way he always insisted on reading and correcting the scripts before he went to air. Such an icon. And that pipe....I will always remember that pipe.
Condolences to the Trueman family. 
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
My career in television journalism began with writing copy for Peter and Jan. He and Nigel Gibson were patient mentors to this hopeful young journalist. The lessons I learned from Peter guided the rest of my career. He will remain a beacon of integrity to so many.
My sincere condolences to the Trueman family.
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
My sincere condolences to Eleanor, Anne, Mark and Victoria. 
Peter Trueman was an "anchor" (in the true sense of the word) to all he worked with and all he encouraged. I had the privilege of working with Peter at Global Television News from 1974 - 1986 - as a reporter, an assignment editor, a producer and executive producer. He was respectful, helpful, always supportive. The last time I saw him was on Amherst Island at one of his photography exhibits. He had a heart for nature and I very much admired him for that. He truly was a capital "J" Journalist, giving every newscast the gravitas it deserved. He will be missed.
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
As a journalism student in the mid-70s, he was such an inspiration. His closing comments on the events of the day were game changers for me. Also want to add that his father was my Shakespeare prof - only time I ever took a seat in the front row - captivated in every one of his classes. Special gentlemen!
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
My deepest condolences to Mark and family. I did not have the privilege of meeting Peter but had the honour of learning about his character and many contributions to the world of journalism, and Global News specifically. Thinking of you Mark, and your loved ones, during this difficult time. May Peter’s memory be a blessing to you all.
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
Peter was a mentor of mine when I was a young journalist. His wisdom and insight were things to cherish. My condolences to the family.
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
My deep condolences to the Trueman family.

Peter Trueman was a giant in Canadian journalism. 

He was key to why I entered the world of television news. Always delivering the events of the day with honesty and clarity, he saw beyond the 'noise' and delivered sage, thought provoking commentaries - created often in just minutes on his manual typewriter up at the anchor desk.

Peter embodied accuracy and integrity in journalism.
He didn't chase eyeballs. He chased the truth, or as close to it as possible.

I was honored to write for his newscasts, to learn the craft from a master.
July 24, 2021
July 24, 2021
To our good friends, Mark and Krithia, and your entire family, we are so sorry for your loss.  We are thinking of Peter and all of you. – Lois & Terry Lewis
July 24, 2021
July 24, 2021
So sorry for your loss, Devin. My condolences to you and your family. xo

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Recent Tributes
February 18, 2023
February 18, 2023
I cannot believe that somehow I missed paying tribute to Peter on this site. I had the privilege of meeting Peter in 1970 and he took a picture of me which I still cherish out in front of his home at the bottom of the Avenue Road, across from De La Salle Oaklands.

I have read all of the above tribute to Peter, and I got to know him as a fellow traveller on the road to recovery. We spent the early years having lunch, two or three times a week with a group of our friends, and Peter was always a few years ahead of me in age and wisdom. He was a man I had to look up to physically and metaphorically. I can remember his first week of global television, my friend Brian and I went up to the studio, and Peter was always gracious and welcomed us, and had a sit off to the side while he did his newscast.

As it has already been said, so eloquently, and sincerely, Peter was one of the most intelligent, kind, and considerate human beings, I have ever known. 

As a result of Peter’s influence on me, my family and I moved to Amherst Island where I got to know Eleanor. Peter and our friendship blossomed at the Amherst Island men’s group on Saturday mornings.

You are missed.

January 6, 2023
January 6, 2023
My condolences to the Trueman family.
I had the privilege to meet Peter in the 90's while working at Camera Kingston, in Kingston. 
I was surprised to see him at the counter and tried to stay cool while I helped him purchase a camera. We spent quite a bit of time looking over a couple of different Nikon camera models before he purchased one. I have met a few famous people while working and think of them and wonder what they are photographing now. 
So sorry to hear of Peters passing. 
- Sonia
July 31, 2021
July 31, 2021
My condolences on the death of Peter. I am an amateur genealogist. I was very happy one day to find Peter in my Keillor-Trenholm lineage. He had a great career and is a respected broadcaster that I missed on the airways the last few years. .   Sharon Reid, Moncton, N.B.
His Life

Life Chapters

July 25, 2021
In this section, you can create a chapter by chapter biography of your loved one's life. 
You can help others to get to know Peter more intimately and for a moment experience the world through his eyes. 

Describe memorable dates and events from his childhood, youth, and adult life. Collaborate with other members of your family to build a complete and rich life story.
Recent stories

Conrates Peter Truman on 50 years sober

August 10, 2021
Congratulations you were the only one of the Kingsmere Quebec cottage gang that took the leadership in joining A.A.Im sure my finding the program in California in 1990 ish was with your spiritual impetus some what the reason behind my surrendering to admitting to this chronic disease.I received  a two year chip at your speakers meeting in Toronto of which was the last time we met. Best man at our wedding, and the intervention you so kindly did for me near Kingston when I was being  bullied because of a controversial book called The Healer by David L.Keyston uncut  story of the life of teacher healer Mary Baker Eddy he Dave had just visited Prince Edward County.You kindly read the book afterwards. Rose Maureen McGee.

An Exceptional Canadian

July 29, 2021
I met Peter in 1951 when we both started our first year at UNB -- Peter was taking Arts courses and I was registered in Electrical Engineering. He joined the UNTD while I joined the COTC. He was very tall and I was somehat shorter. Two different young men. Peter's influence (as well as that of his father) was mainly responsible for me switching to Arts when I transferred to RMC in 1952.
I followed Peter's career from a distance  and admired his newspaper articles and his reporting on TV. In my view, he set the standard for all in his profession.
Eventually my wife, Marjorie, and I were delighted to meet Eleanor and to exchange the hosting of dinners: conversations were lively, fun and always interesting. Eleanor and Peter were a wonderful couple..
Marjorie and I join Peter's family and many friends in mourning his passing. Peter was an exceptional Canadian.
May he rest in peace.

Family mattered so much to Peter

July 28, 2021
Peter had a keen sense of history and the value of family. I am Peter's first cousin.  Not long ago he gave me a copy of a letter written by our joint  grandfather, John Main Trueman, hand written on University of Illinois letterhead, dated Dec.22, 1905, where John was a member of the Department of Dairy Husbandry. The letter was to John's brother George, and apparently was part of a discussion on their mutual religious beliefs and practices shared with their father Howard, (our great-grandfather) who was the author of a history of the Chignecto Isthmus (published in 1902) where the family farm had sat near the border between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick since the 1780's. Peter had found this letter among his father Albert's papers. Albert was my mother's brother.

In this letter John says: "it is very easy to write the commonplace views and ideas, and leave out anything that  belongs a little deeper in our nature, or is nearer to our real self. As I wrote father last week, we were cradled in argumentative Christianity and it comes naturally to us to set in order the arguments for and against both the beliefs and practices of our religion." He goes on to mention doubts about the doctrine of Christ's sacrifice as an atonement to God for mankind's sins "which I got from Father years ago while hoeing turnips in the field between the orchard and Richard Carter's."

Peter was fascinated by that last comment. We both had a pretty good idea what field that was, and wished we could have been hoeing turnips with them back in the late 18 hundreds to have heard our great grandfather's arguments. I suspect that Peter also saw in it a family origin for his own credo, for, with regard particularly to current events, if ever there was a man with an active curiosity, a talent for setting in order the evidence, and a tendency to healthy skepticism and frank, honest comment, it was Peter. Peter suspected that the reason why the letter was found among his father Albert's papers was that his father had found it among his grandfather John's papers, never mailed. Had it gone to George it would not likely have come into Albert's hands. Perhaps it had been a little too candid even for his father and his brother's ears. John went on to become the Principle of the Truro Agricultural College, and George to be the President of Mount Allison.
 
One of my best memories of Peter was of him and Eleanor hosting my mother's (his aunt's) 90th birthday party at their beautiful home on Amherst Island. It was quite a big affair, and was the sort of family occasion, and kind of effort, that Peter and his lovely wife Eleanor, deeply enjoyed and were happy to do. Mother lived to 99 and often recalled that day. It was definitely the highlight of her golden years. Thanks Peter and Eleanor. 

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