After a 6-year dance with cancer, on November 2nd, 2026, Peter Edward Norwood passed away peacefully at the age of 63, in his home surrounded by his wife, Janice, and children, Rae-Anne and Laura. He will not only be missed by his wife and children, but also by his beloved granddaughter Madeleine (daughter of Laura) and his brothers Russell, Steve (Janet) and Warren (Darlene), as well as many nieces and nephews.

Born to parents Art (d. 2012) and Eunice (d. 2004) Norwood in Etobicoke, Ontario, on September 15th, 1963, Pete was the youngest of four boys.

Pete completed his Bachelors degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Waterloo, where he met his wife, Janice. They travelled the world together, eventually putting down roots in Gatineau, Quebec, where they raised their daughters. As a family, they enjoyed camping trips, cottage vacations, skiing, horseback riding and sailing. In his spare time, Pete almost always had a home renovation or wood-working project on the go. He used to say that Summer was for sailing, camping and riding, Winter was for skiing, and shoulder seasons were for getting all your projects done. Pete also had a deep appreciation for solo-sails up the Ottawa river, where he’d moor overnight and enjoy the peace and quiet. Working the bulk of his later career as an IT specialist for Lee Valley Tools, Pete loved commuting to work by bicycle and taking the scenic route home, which sometimes included a mid-ride beer break.

As his cancer progressed and he became wheelchair-bound in 2023, the 2.4mR adaptive sailboat, granted to him by the Clagett Foundation, and his recumbent bicycle became a major source of motivation to stay as fit as possible. More importantly, they were also his way to continue enjoying some of his favorite activities and feeling free despite his physical limitations. He specifically attributed sailing the 2.4mR as a pivotal source of inspiration to stop preparing for death and start preparing for life again. Along with plenty of quality time with his friends and family, including his grand-daughter, Madeleine Dumesnil, these activities and the communities he built around them were likely a major reason he exceeded his prognosis by many years.

Pete will be remembered as having always made the absolute most of the life he had, cherishing the little things, being a loving husband, proud father and grandfather, a true friend, and the fun uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews. In his own words: hard worker, loyal husband, and all-around good guy.

He was loved and will be missed by many.

A celebration of life will be held at the Nepean Sailing Club in Ottawa on November 21st, 2026 starting at 1PM. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages charitable donations to Kidney Cancer Canada or the National Capital Able Sailing Association.