Obituary of Peter Darwin Goddard
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Peter Darwin Goddard 78, 10 months after being diagnosed with glioblastoma. Peter died peacefully at the Toronto Grace Health Centre Palliative Care Unit. March 23, 2022 surrounded by loving family.
Predeceased by his mother Audrey and father Jack Goddard, Teacher and Examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, Peter is survived by his wife Carol Ann (nee Price) married for 53 years, daughter Kate Woudenberg (Johnathan); grandchildren Abigail, Samantha, William and Callan; brother Michael (Randi), sister-in-law Jo Ann, brother-in-law Peter, nephews Alexander, Christopher, Peter, Arthur and nieces Lia, Jodie, Carol Ann, Renee, Hughena.
At The University of Toronto, Peter was initiated into The Theta Delta Chi Fraternity in 1963, received a Baccalaureate in Music in 1967 and a Master of Arts (Ethnomusicology) in 1972. He wrote for the Varsity, and received the University’s Honour Award.
At the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto, Peter was a pupil of Margaret Butler. In 1966, he was awarded the School of Music’s Piano - Solo Performer Diploma - his proudest professional accomplishment. This entitled Peter to be styled an Associate of the Conservatory and to use the letters A.R.C.T.
Peter found a passion for journalism first working as the pop music critic 1966-7 for The Globe and Mail. He transferred to the Toronto Telegram where he was a pop, rock and jazz columnist until it folded in 1971. He continued his career and joined The Toronto Star, where he wrote about music, film and the visual arts for over 30 years. In 1972, he received the Juno RPM Gold Leaf Award for Canadian Music Journalist of the Year. In 1982, he received The National Newspaper Award for Critical Writing. The judges acknowledged his “sound music scholarship, sense of perspective and leavening good humour”.
Peter’s expanded his passion for writing and music. He authored the biography Frank Sinatra and his novel The Sounding. He co-authored with Ronnie Hawkins, Ronnie Hawkins: The Last of the Good Old Boys. Peter collaborated on 10 books with Toronto photographer Philip Kamin, published between 1982 and 1987 documenting concert tours by The Rolling Stones, The Who, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Genesis, Michael Jackson, The Police, Van Halen, the Cars and Cyndi Lauper. His final published book was The Great (Glenn) Gould, 2017 that was published in French and English.
On popular culture, Peter contributed to publications such as Chatelaine, Saturday Night, RPM, The Review, MacLean’s, Canadian Composer, Performance and Exile.
On fashion, Peter published Jeanne Beker’s first book: Jeannie Unbottled: Adventures in High Style. With Don Allan, now Director of Revolver Films, he produced a CBC production In Fashion, which garnered them an OFE Judy Award for Excellence in Fashion Promotion.
On sport, Peter published Clear The Track : The Eddie Shack Story in 1998. He played baseball for 5 years in the mixed league ‘Wine and Vinyl Industrial Workers of America’ and was a passionate Blue Jays fan and season ticket holder from the very start.
On France, Peter bought an old stone farmhouse in a remote hamlet in La Creuse, Limousin. Peter and his family visited there annually for 48 years.
A memorial followed by a graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 24th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Anglican Erindale Church, 3041 Mississauga Road (at Dundas Street West), Mississauga. The family requests that anyone wishing to express sympathy please consider a charitable donation to the Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre Palliative Care Unit, ppilon@torontograce.org or call 416-577-5685. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
© 2021 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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