I first met Pete in 1957 at the age of 11, in our first year at King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford. Because our surnames were alphabetically close, we sat near each other in class and soon struck up a friendship which lasted throughout our time in school. During our time at KEGS, we formed a rock band, 'The Phantoms', and Pete became our lead singer. After school, we kept in touch for a while but then sadly drifted off into our careers and lost contact for some while. Fortunately, Friends Reunited brought us together again, along with pals Fred Lumb and Mel Thompson, and we enjoyed a few get-togethers with our wives in recent years. Getting acquainted again, after a long gap, was effortless. Margaret and I miss our dear friend.
Peter McDonald
2nd July 2013
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away into the next room,
I am I and you are you;
Whatever we were to each other, That we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used,
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we shared together.
Let my name ever be the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant,
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner
xxxx
kay westgate
2nd July 2013
Whether in the air, on the sea, on a country ramble, or across the dinner table, Peter will be remembered by the Scheu Family (of Hanover NH, USA) as a true renaissance man--a consummate gentleman, a skilled expert, and a dear family friend. We all miss him deeply, and send our love.
poetryguy
8th May 2013