Peter deMarsh

Peter was a man who was dedicated to his family, community, work, church and his garden. From the beginning he was a leader at the TCA and Market. I remember at one Market, Peter was sitting at his table washing his vegetables and a lady said “does he wash all of his vegetables?” and I said “yes he does and when you buy something from Peter you get nothing but the very best produce.  Peter was always cool and calm and collected but sometimes at the hockey rink you could hear Peter voicing his opinion if he didn’t like a call that a referee made. On another hockey note, when Peter took the boys, Luke, Andrew Chamberlain, and my son JD Flinn to Minto to play hockey They always paid a visit to Peter’s Mom Edna (who is a very sweet lady and often visits market). The boys enjoyed these visits. While on the drive down and back they were treated to Peter’s love of classical music. Our little community and the whole world will feel the loss of Peter and his knowledge and understanding of the forest and nature. Mother Nature needs more Peter deMarshes to keep the forests safe and protected.

I loved to tease Peter! When I found out that he disliked to be called “Pete” or “Petey” and only his siblings had that privilege, then that is what I started calling him! Peter had such a great sense of humour – we had so much fun at the early AGM's – they were always properly run, but fun! He loved hearing what we liked about the previous year and what we’d like to see happen in the future. As we all know, Peter traveled a LOT, but he didn’t boast about it, rather he appeared to feel humble that he was blessed to be able to do so. I can only imagine the beautiful places he has seen and the beautiful people that he met. I asked to see his passport/passports different times but he always frowned and said “You don’t want to see those old things.”  I find it a bit ironic that Peter passed from this earth in Ethiopia on his way to another country because he seemed to hold that country in a special place in heart. He told the story of visiting a cooperative of villages that grew organic and fair trade coffee and Eucalyptus honey (I think) and encouraged me to start purchasing the coffee for our household. It is really quite good!  I like to share the story of the year Ava was born and I lamented to Jean that I had neglected to plant any winter squash and therefore would have no organic squash for her when she started solids. This was almost the middle of July! Unknown to me Jean called around and found some Sunshine Squash seedlings. She and Peter came over on July 15​th​ (my birthday) and planted and watered the tender seedlings. Peter told me it was quite late to be planting squash but we would just have to hope for the best. That fall I harvested 60 Sunshine Squash and Ava loved every mouthful! She didn’t eat them all; I did share with Peter & Jean. It is so fitting that Peter receives this award that is named after his wife, Jean, as they have been extremely selfless in their endless service to our small community – not just the TCA, but also the citizens of Taymouth and  people all across this beautiful planet that we are so fortunate to inhabit in our lifetimes. Jean through her years of work for the Angola Memorial Scholarship Fund program and Peter through his work with IFFA – The International Family Forestry Association.  Petey, how I wish you were here to receive the Burgess Volunteerism Award in person. You hold a special place in my heart and I miss your visits and our chats, but I know that you are in a peaceful place and are probably serving whomever you can. Love you.

Peter had this impishly shy smile. I always wondered what that was about but over the years realized it was his “I see you and I hear you” smile. Peter was fun. Just when you thought he was being serious he’d sneak in a little tease and catch you off guard. I liked that about him.  One evening at our Writer’s Guild gathering, he was giving some feedback to someone when suddenly, he noticed my toes. I had a pedicure that day and my toenails were painted black with white polka dots. He stopped talking and said “I really like your toes” and exclaimed that he had never seen toes like that before. It was a tiny bit embarrassing but most of all it was a good chuckle for all.  To me it seems like a piece of our community is missing and I am glad that I had the chance to know Peter deMarsh.

Having worked with Peter and sadly losing him, we will remember him as a driving force for community spirit within the TCA. Linda and I agree he should receive this award.

Peter always had a smile for me! In fact I never saw him without one. Whenever I encountered him at the community center or even in town somewhere, he would always ask how I was doing and about my writing or about whatever crazy event or activity I was planning or had held at that time. At the beginning of my involvement in the TCA Peter was always there at the head of every event. He ran the AGM, welcomed us all at suppers, and to me, made us feel like a family. I really missed him being our leader, but honestly I never stopped thinking of him as such.

​Peter deMarsh is a very deserving recipient of the Burgess Award for Volunteerism 2019. He was a very quiet natured person, highly intelligent. He always stopped by my table at market to say hello, buy some sweets and to say”It’s nice to talk to you.”He was instrumental in the community buying the school to use as a community center. He is sorely missed by the community. From ​Reid Wyton;​ I had the opportunity to work for Peter in his organic garden for a couple of summers during high school. Peter was a great man who would do anything for anyone. He will be missed.

 (former summer student employee with Peter in the garden) He was loved by so many people and affected so many people’s lives, including mine. He was so passionate about the environment and he was never afraid to stand up for what he believed in, and I truly believe that he made a huge difference in so many people’s lives because of it. I feel so lucky that I got to spend the summer with him a few years ago, because it truly was one of the most influential summers of my life. He completely changed the way I look at the world and the environment and just life in general, actually. And I can’t be the only one. For some reason when I think of Peter, the memory I remember most vividly was him telling me that I shouldn’t wear makeup because it makes people look like clowns. I think that was one of the first days I started working with him. And you best believe that after that, I started seeing what he meant and stopped wearing it so much, lol. For someone whose previous ambition was to be a makeup artist when I grew up, that really hit home. The small moments like that were constant. And I started to realize how many other things I could be doing with my life, which solidified the goal I’d set for myself to become a doctor. I haven’t looked back since.

About a decade ago, Peter suggested to me that the field by the river could be a multi-purpose place. He suggested we create a track around the edge, and then of course put it to good use. After a quick jaunt around the field at sunset, and after having startled a doe – and had her startle me in return – I brushed off two deer ticks and bounded home. I reported this to Peter suggesting that we would need to clear, till and compact a surface- no small feat. We agreed to ponder the plight. During this period of pondering, I volunteered to help with the harvest one day, during a time when I was in top physical condition – or so I thought. After two hours of exertion, I confessed to being exhausted. Peter seemed unaffected by the toil. I was impressed. “Peter,” I said, as I turned to make my sore muscles move toward home, “as far as your fitness is concerned, you don’t need to run.” Peter always accepted the stories that I would tell about my experiences with energy, my “mystical” side, if you will, and I cherished that in him. Once during a dinner at Sandra and Gary’s home, I offered an old adage, “  The mystic swims the waters in which the madman drowns.” The word crazy was tossed around, mostly by me, mocking the naive term. “Well, Gordon,” Peter offered, “I do think you’re crazy,” pausing and shifting in his chair, relaxing and grinning for emphasis, “but I would say you’re crazy – crazy in a good way.”

Peter deMarsh challenged me to become a better person. To become a proper scholar and to share my knowledge. Where I am now as a Black historian started at the Taymouth Community Center with a presentation on African influences on Modern Music. After the presentation he told me I could sing. This year I sang in public as part of my Black History Month presentation. Maybe it is selfish, but I am sad for myself in that I’ll never be the recipient of another one of Peter’s succinct yet wisdom laden quips. Thank you forever.

My memories of Peter will be of the TCC volunteer that he was, of his fostering of the emergency preparedness committee and the market. I liked working for him, harrowing the vast garden that he had for years. The community has lost a major player and he will be difficult to replace.

We both met Peter for the first time when he guest lectured in our social values forestry class about issues facing woodlot owners. When we moved to Taymouth we remembered Peter offering us to walk anytime at the property where his garden is located after he found out we adopted dogs. We did end up going on tour with Luke once; it was very nice. We saw Peter at market regularly for a few years to purchase produce. That stopped when we started growing more in our own garden. In one of those market conversations we mentioned we had blue birds nesting on our property one year and he came over to observe them while we were at work. Jeremy also mentioned that at a forestry conference a couple of years ago he heard Tom Erdle (Professor of Forest Management, Assistant Dean, Faculty of​ Forestry and Environmental Management​, University of New Brunswick) praising Peter for being ahead of the curve, warning of impacts of climate change years ago.

Having known Peter in elementary school, when our families became friends, my reconnection with him began at a meeting in the old school building concerning the prospect of creating a Community Association, purchasing the school and surrounding land to create a Community Center. And there was Peter, chairing the meeting, with quiet passion sharing his vision and the vision of those gathered of what could be possible. The community had been canvassed. It was a go! I agreed to serve as treasurer. Peter was an important member of a small group of folks who imagined a place for community gatherings, green spaces, the ball field and maybe a market. Years have passed and thanks to the many volunteers who came on board, we have this great center, a top notch ball field, a lovely country market and a thriving fitness center. Through all of this growth, Peter was quietly in the wings working to help things happen. I will miss Peter stopping in at market, stopping to chat, sometimes fresh from the garden. When produce was ready, he took great care to present quality items and he had answers for all questions about growing. Gary remembers spending some time helping pick green & yellow beans. By the time they were done for the day, he had not only picked but knew how to grade the beans as well. Gary and Peter got along like old friends. No matter the topic, it usually ended in laughter. We loved having Peter and Jean at our table. How fortunate we were to have Peter in our lives. 

(Excerpted from his grade 12 exam on leadership) If I had to choose one person in the world who is the definition of a leader it would be my late friend and neighbor Peter deMarsh., He was humble, hard working for others and the environment, dedicated, well educated, and put others first above himself among many other characteristics. Peter was 69 years old when he and 156 other wonderful souls were lost in a plane crash in Ethiopia. Peter dedicated his life to protecting the environment all across the world; on March 10, 2019 he was on his way to a United Nations environmental conference in Ethiopia - he was a champion for small woodlot owners all across the world. If I had the choice to join a group with a vocal or a quiet leader I would choose the group with the quiet leader.  They lead with actions more than words, and for me, that is easier to learn from. My friend Peter deMarsh was a quiet leader; he was soft spoken but was well heard and respected when he talked. Peter’s thoughts were calculated and respected everyone but got his point across. Peter was the type of person who would never raise his voice; he never intended to harm anyone's feelings, and always wanted to hear more about your life then his. Even though Peter was a worldwide hero in the environment world you would never know. In the last few months I have learned things about Peter that I have never heard before, even though I knew Peter for all of my life. This goes to show how impactful a quiet leader can be.

Peter was a pillar of our community. Without him we might not have our thriving community centre and ball field. Peter was key to getting us going, setting things up and making them work. He had the organizational skills and the contacts with the powers that be. I really respected Peter’s ideas about what to do and what the best timing might be. I consulted him on different Ball field projects that we worked on over the years.  One day I saw, Peter arms crossed, looking down with appreciation at the ball field and what we were working on. His appreciation and approval meant a lot to me. I have learned a lot since Peter died about how many different places and things he was involved in that he did not talk much about. I remember Peter talking with [my children] Brett, Abbie and Ben and how he would rather listen to them. We have lost Peter and we can use our experience with him to move on. We have a better place to live and we owe a lot of that to Peter. 

I think of Peter as one of those long term TCA volunteers we want to recognize but mostly when I think of Peter it’s about when it was time to meet in the garden to pick garlic scapes, weed the carrots and parsnips or pick potato beetles. And waiting longingly for the first zucchini or the first potatoes Peter would dig from the side of the hills. It’s about joining him in some urgent garden job that needed to be finished - planting, watering or harvesting - before he got on a plane for parts unknown.  I will never forget the time we ended up planting garlic after dark. Thankfully there was a full moon and the white garlic cloves practically glowed, enabling us to finish the job before Peter’s dawn flight. In exchange for my gardening help Peter would come to my place and help me saw firewood and bring it in. I think about taking Peter to the airport when Jean was away and picking him up on his return from China or some other far flung corner of the world, at some ungodly hour. I think about calling Peter about a bird I had just seen or what creature had babies or helping me confirm a bird song I wasn’t sure of.  I remember a couple of times skiing together down the Nashwaak from Stanley to Taymouth and also skiing together along trails in Peter’s woodlot. My remembrances of Peter at the TCC were more as an observer. I think of all the meetings he chaired, how calm he was and how he kept things on track. I was always impressed by his professionalism; he clearly had lots of experience doing this. He always had interesting ideas. I particularly remember when he suggested having a Taymouth market – I knew he had a garden but I had no idea at that time what else could be for sale in our community. These thoughts and memories of Peter come to me often, when I am gardening or out on the river.

Peter believed in the power of local economies and the value of rural communities. He loved the Nashwaak River and its waters almost seemed to flow within him, coursing through his veins as he worked his garden, chaired community meetings, or chatted with his neighbours at the Taymouth Community Market. He was a thoughtful, insightful and caring man, and had the courage to stand firm against anything he judged could cause harm to the places and people he loved. Even those who stood opposed to his views on a given subject had to respect him for his intelligence, careful reasoning and passion. Peter has been a friend to me and my family since I first moved out to the Nashwaak Valley area. He reveled in the joyful curiosity of my children, and took them on various outdoor adventures, teaching them about birds and trees and wildlife, and laughing from the many inside jokes they would create during their time together. In the summer, he let us trudge across his fields to the river, giving us prime access to swimming on hot afternoons.  I was thinking of Peter just a few days before his sudden death - thinking I still had a book he had lent me, thinking I should give him a call and use the returning of his book as a thinly-disguised excuse to meet him for coffee and conversation. I'm heartbroken that this cannot happen. Peter seemed like the type of person who would always be there. May Peter's love for life and community live on in all who knew him. 

The community has lost a powerful soul. Peter was a friend. Passionate about his work and about people, he always had a smile and a hug to share. I have a memory from when my Luka was a young puppy and broke free of her constraints in my yard during a thunderstorm and disappeared. I had the whole neighbourhood out looking for her while I sat on the stairs at the cottage I was renting at the end of Mom & Dad’s road. I remember seeing Peter’s truck racing across the bridge at Taymouth, screeching around the corner and tearing up my driveway. As he slammed to a stop, he yelled out the window “she’s in my field but won’t come to me, jump in quick!” We raced off and my puppy and I were reunited in the mud of his field. The second is from our brief time as work colleagues.  A friend and I had just introduced Peter to the term WTF from a viral video of the time.  (Australia is like WTF, mate?!?)  Peter found it to be absolutely hysterical.  So did my friend and I when Peter made use of this highly professional language in the middle of a board meeting shortly thereafter. You will be missed Peter, in so many places by so many people.

Since his passing a lot has been written and said about Peter’s passion for the environment and how he worked tirelessly to promote ideas to protect the planet.  What keeps coming to my mind is how he did so by believing in people, believing that most of us wanted the best for the environment. When I think of Peter, I think of someone who had a keen interest in people.  He always listened intently to whatever anyone said. When you had a conversation with Peter you knew that he heard you. Really heard you.  And now I know that he took that ability to hear people and pull them together, all around the world. Taymouth was truly fortunate to have the moderating skills of Peter deMarsh.  As chair of the Taymouth Community Association, he facilitated meetings where everyone was heard. I particularly enjoyed the Annual General Meetings where he invited all to share what they appreciated about the past year and any goals they had for the coming year.  This exercise validated and respected our contributions and ideas.  When he was involved with the Taymouth Environmental Action committee, particularly around the shale gas issue and Sisson Brook mine, he was able to motivate us to keep on working towards protecting our environment.  People from around the province came to Taymouth to work on this and Peter was the facilitator that made it happen. But my favorite memories of him are from places like the Taymouth Market where he was a neighbor and friend who grew vegetables and enjoyed the camaraderie of being in his community.  He always had a moment to check in with you and to share a few words.  He looked so relaxed. There are so many who have committed and continue to commit so much time and energy to this organization, yet I believe that the support from, and hard work of Peter deMarsh and Jean Burgess, is the foundation that allowed the TCA to be created and to flourish for 17 years. 

​Peter was very excited when he heard of Mark Young’s idea of maintaining ​community ownership of the Taymouth ball field by asking the province to pass the old school property to the community. Peter immediately envisioned the social and economic potential in such a community resource. It was especially exhilarating for him to be part of an upswing of community interest in this project. Peter knew the power of community movements to potentially move mountains. He had witnessed this in the development of woodlot owner organizations in New Brunswick who then had the power to negotiate fair wood prices as a unified group. In the early community meetings about whether to take on the responsibility of a property with an old school building that would be costly to maintain, the pros and cons were discussed at length, with no decision emerging. In small group discussion the idea surfaced of polling the community’s interest in and commitment to the community centre/ball field project by going door to door to raise the $5,000 token price for the old school property (which the province had set as perhaps a test of community commitment). Volunteers went door to door and the community voted with its dollars. A great majority of households donated and the $5,000 goal was achieved.  There were many organizational and legal tasks which followed, to which Peter was able to donate his organizational development experience and skills. Peter’s commitment to rural economic and social well-being made him very interested in the early community discussions about setting up a community market. Rhona recollects Peter saying, “All these cars are driving by us on the way to the Fredericton market; they could be stopping here at a local market in the old school property.” The market was set up the next summer and Peter took great pleasure in selling his vegetables to his neighbours who he knew understood the joy of eating the first string beans from a garden, the first batch of new potatoes. He was quietly happy when neighbours sampled his kale and came back for more. Peter valued all the community gatherings that took place at the community centre - enjoying neighborly company at suppers and appreciating the opportunity  in community meetings to hear the thoughts of  neighbors  about issues ranging from proposed electoral boundary changes, to the potential risks to wells in our community from shale gas exploration, to community sentiments on access to and use of the local section of the TransCanada Trail. Whenever Peter was asked to present at international conferences on the role and value of woodlot owners and agroforestry producers he would refer to his own community. Folks in Italy, Nepal, Kenya, and elsewhere have been shown photos of our beautiful valley, our Taymouth market, Terry Young and his long ranks of firewood, chatting with Peter on a snowy day. While Peter has received awards over the years for his work with woodlot owners organizations I know he would have been especially moved to receive an award from his own community, from his neighbors who knew him in his garden clothes or driving his garden muddied truck or quietly enjoying their fellowship at community and family events.