PETER THOMAS DAWSON
1938-2026
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Peter Dawson in May 2026. Peter was a well-known and much-appreciated member of the CAMMAC community who attended summer music retreats at the Music Centre for several decades.
Described by his family as a true Renaissance man, Peter’s many interests and talents were extensive. He was a scientist, musician, woodworker, academic, athlete, chorister, outdoorsman, sailor, writer, reader, environmentalist, amateur genealogist, and lover of dogs, lively debates, and a dark ale shared with friends after choir practice. Adventurous by nature, he climbed mountains, rode camels and elephants, travelled extensively on ecotours after retirement, and even made his own bagpipes.
One of Peter’s favourite places in the world, however, was CAMMAC. Since the mid-1980s, he spent part of nearly every summer at Lake MacDonald, enthusiastically exploring an extraordinary range of instruments, including recorder, oboe, trombone, lute, crumhorn, cornetto, shawm, and sackbut. Even while facing illness, he continued to make the journey to CAMMAC for both Week 2 and Thanksgiving weekend last year, and he had been looking forward to returning again this summer with his daughter. The friendships he formed through music at CAMMAC, and the sense of shared musical life he found there, remained deeply important to him throughout his life. His curiosity, generosity of spirit, and enthusiasm for learning left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to his daughters, Jennifer and Fiona Dawson; his grandchildren, Emma and Nora Fenton and Evan Dawson; and to his many friends and loved ones. He will be remembered with great fondness by the CAMMAC community.
A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held at St. John’s Anglican Church in Ancaster on Saturday, May 30 at 11 a.m. for those wishing to attend in person. A livestream link for the service is available below.
Peter loved to garden and considered cut flowers a sacrilege; for those wishing to honour his memory, donations to CAMMAC are welcome.