Curating a Legacy of Creative Hands, Heart and Soul
Peter with his wife Pam at an art exhibit showcasing his "Fire and Ice" collection. A passion for the arts and his philosophy of life are his motivators for leaving a gift in his will to the Perley Health Foundation."The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
Those are the inspirational words, often attributed to the famous artist, Pablo Picasso, that Peter Harle tries to live by. As a child, Peter was introduced to oil painting, and although he did not pursue it through his early life, his artistic seed was planted and thriving. It would not be until retirement that he would rediscover this creative outlet, and find the meaning and joy in artistic expression.
Born into an Air Force family, Peter grew up observing his mother and father, an RCAF Squadron Leader, living out the values of generosity and community service. “They were modest people, but they gave generously of their time through their church and the Boy Scouts,” recalls Peter.
After joining the RCAF and completing a Mechanical Engineering Degree at Queens University, Peter served Canada as a military pilot for 26 years. When he left the air force, he pursued a second successful career as a Federal Public Servant in transportation accident investigation and prevention.
"I consider myself to be personally blessed with diverse talents, a broad education, and a lifetime of challenging opportunities, including world-wide travel, two rewarding careers in the service of Canada, and a continuing global curiosity,” says Peter. “I feel a strong sense of obligation to pay back through legacy giving by paying forward."
Peter is referring to the gift he is leaving in his will to the Perley Health Foundation. His connection to Perley Health runs deep, starting with his 12 years of service as a Board Member and Adjunct Advisor. “After I retired in 1999, I was invited to join the Perley Health Board,” recalls Peter. Later, he facilitated the establishment of a 10-year spend-down disbursement from an aunt’s estate to support of the Creative Arts Program.
Today, Peter’s three main wishes are that he and his wife, Pam can live comfortably for the rest of their days, that he can leave a substantial inheritance to his daughters and grandchildren, and continue contributing to Perley Health through the establishment of a new endowment fund. “I hope that this new fund will bring personal joy and satisfaction to Perley residents who enjoy being busy with their hands, heart and soul,” he says sincerely.
Consistent with the quote often attributed to Picasso, Peter believes that, “A successful life requires discovering your personal gift, nurturing it wisely, and sharing it with those less fortunate.”
Peter’s message to others: “Get involved in your community. With our aging population growing, it will take many caring donors to ensure that long-term care homes like Perley Health can continue to thrive, enriching the lives of those they serve.”
Inspired by Peter’s story? You too can make a lasting impact for Seniors and Veterans by leaving a gift in your will to the Perley Health Foundation. For more information, please contact Delphine Haslé at 613-526-7194 or email dhasle@perleyhealth.ca.