Peter Duff Woodford

Peter D. Woodford, in his 86th year, of Harbour Main, Newfoundland. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed peacefully away with family by his side, after a brief illness at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, St, John’s, Newfoundland on July 24, 2021.

Predeceased by his parents Patrick A. (Arlie) and Winnifred (nee, Duff) Woodford, wife Shirley, son Mario, brothers: George, Patrick E., and Protase, sisters: Ada (Langdon) and Isabel (Trahey). 

Survived by his sons: Wayne, Gary, Arlington & Christopher, beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his close friend and partner Judy, special friends Jimmy and Shawn, with whom he resided, as well as a large circle of extended family of nieces and nephews, his comrades at the Bay Roberts Legion and too many to name close friends. Sincere gratitude and many thanks to all those loved ones who visited or spent time and reached out to call and have a chat with him recently.

Peter was a rambling soul and lover of the ocean who became a seaman and joined the Royal Canadian Navy while still a teenager, celebrated his 17th birthday in Norway, attended the current Queen’s coronation in England in 1953, and who also became a military and civilian policeman but was lured back to the sea and sailed on numerous of the CN Coastal Boats, most notably the SS Kyle for several years, before he became landlocked to be a mining foreman in western Labrador, a construction foreman and a road building technician in Newfoundland. He then became a private businessman who owned and managed fish plants in Newfoundland as well as on the island of Zanzibar, Tanzania in eastern Africa where he learned to speak the Swahili language while in his mid-sixties. He was truly, a “salty sea-dog” who felt more at home with the salt spray on his cheeks, a gale blowing through his hair or while rolling along with the ocean swells than he ever did on dry land. It was there he felt relaxed and safe, no matter how rough it was, because it was where he knew he always wanted to be. It was as if the sea ran through his veins and was his salted existence.

A man of many talents he made wooden furniture and built many small and mid-sized wooden Newfoundland boats although he wasn’t a carpenter. He truly enjoyed out fishing on the bay and just drifting along in his own boat where he found his nirvana, his tranquility. He was also a singer/songwriter, guitar player and lover of music but most notably he was a prolific storyteller, with an uncanny memory, who could spin yarns and captivate you with endless tales of his life experiences which were told with such emotion, vivid expressions and meticulous detail that you were so entertained you could listen to him for hours on end and not be bored.

At Peter’s request, cremation has taken place. Resting at Dunphy’s funeral home, Holyrood, visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm where friends and family may pay their respects. A graveside service will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Harbour Main on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to The Canadian Diabetes Association or the Kidney Foundation.

With his many voyages now completed he has reached his final port of call.

​​“May God Rest his Spirit.”