DR. PETER C. DUKE

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DR. PETER C. DUKE

After a lengthy battle with dementia, Peter passed away peacefully on October 29, 2026.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara; his children, Marin (Brandon) of Kitchener, and Conrad, Andy (Karen) and Lindsay (Jerry) all of Winnipeg; his grandchildren, Hayden (Meara), Katlyn, Lauren and Amelia; his great-grandson Rowan; his sister-in-law Judy Hodgson; and many nieces and nephews.

Peter was born January 3, 1939, near Edmonton to Laurel (Perry) and Charles Duke. His family moved to Winnipeg when he was three. He grew up in the West End, playing street hockey, exploring Omand's Creek and getting into mischief. Winnipeg remained home for the rest of this life, apart from training or sabbatical years in San Diego, San Francisco, Cambridge (UK), Lyon (France), Saitama (Japan) and Auckland (New Zealand).

After graduating from Gordon Bell High School, he studied Chemistry at United College. He then found his passion in medicine at the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1964 with his MD. He completed his Anesthesia residency at UCSF (San Francisco) in the late 1960s. During his college years, he met his lifelong group of friends, "the lads," with whom he remained close throughout their lives.

Peter's career in medicine combined clinical practice, research and mentoring. He practised mainly at the Health Sciences Centre, where he served as head of Cardiac Anesthesia and the Lung Transplant Program. For more than 40 years, he was an accomplished researcher in the University of Manitoba Medical School's Department of Anesthesia, passionate about mentoring students and encouraging them to pursue research. He chaired or served on countless professional and community boards and committees, including acting as CEO and chair for the Multicentre Studies on Perioperative Ischemia Research Group in San Francisco (McSPI) and vice-chair of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists. In 2004, he received the Canadian Anesthesiologist's Society Gold Medal, and in 2015, he became Professor Emeritus at UM.

While work was his passion, he had a zest for life and made sure to play hard, too. He dabbled in various artistic endeavours and led an active life, playing hockey, lacrosse and squash in his younger years, and enjoying tennis, sailing, swimming and playing with his adored grandkids in later life. He loved a party, whether hosting or attending, and was always the first on the dance floor and the last to leave. His travels with the love of his life, Barbara, took him to five continents, but his most cherished time was spent at the cottage at Victoria Beach.

Peter loved a project. Over 50 summers, restoring the 100-year-old cottage became a labour of love. His last addition was a brick oven built from scratch. Summer vacations and weekends were spent on the tennis court, at Arthur Beach and sailing with the crew at the VBYC.

The family thanks the staff at ActionMarguerite for their care and support, we are grateful for all you do.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 31, 2026