May 31, 1951 - December 25, 2022
On December 25, 2022, Peter Briner departed this world, leaving a legacy of love, kindness and laughter.
Peter was born on May 31, 1951, in the little town of Bassersdorf, Switzerland. He was the youngest of seven children born to Johann and Emma Briner. A year and a half after he was born, his family decided to make the long journey to Canada. They settled in the small farming community of Cloverdale and built their new life on a 25-acre farm south of the town. Peter grew up helping on the family farm, and then raised his own family there. They continued to live there until 2012, after which they moved to White Rock.
Peter loved to work with his hands and could fix just about anything. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a very socially active person in his community, and everyone who met him never forgot him.
His loving smile and twinkling, mischievous eyes were characteristics that described his fun and happy personality. His keen sense of humour and love of puns were some of his signature traits. Peter loved music, gardening, animals, and nature, especially the mountains and the ocean. During his work career for the Surrey Parks Board, he planted many boulevard trees, including the stunning flowering pink cherry trees seen every spring. After retiring from Surrey, he became a licensed realtor and over the next twelve years helped many new friends, old friends and family buy and sell their home. He truly loved his family; they were the most important part of his life.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Barbara, children, Julius (Patricia), Esther (Brian), John (Elizabeth) and Joanna (Jeremy), and his grandchildren, Jessica, Julia, Carrie, Ava, Isabelle, Katie, Aniela, Lincoln, Kenzie, Mischa, Charlie, Joel, Linnea and Eliana. Peter also leaves behind three surviving siblings, many nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins in Switzerland.
The family would like to thank the staff at Whytecliff, Amica, and Evergreen Baptist Care Home for their tireless care and support given to Peter. Also special thanks to Dr. Lourens Perold for his years of dedicated care.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to The Alzheimer's Research Society or Union Gospel Mission.