Peter William Smith

This memorial was created by his grandaughter Shareen smith.

Peter was born in Tring, Hertfordshire in 1943 and grew up in the West Norwood area a majority of
the time, going to school in Battersea. His siblings were Paul, Ann, Joan and Rita.
He met Maureen when he worked for the same welding firm that her father worked for, in Clapham.
Peter went to Leysdown on Sea to help Maureen’s Dad work on their chalet, and they met there; the
attraction was instant and mutual. Both were very shy people, but Maureen’s Dad encouraged them to
go out. They married in 1964, Peter was aged 20; so young that he needed permission from both
parents to marry.
They started their married life in Clapham, and went on to have four children: Tina, Douglas,
Phillip and Peter. This year they celebrated 45 years of marriage.
Peter was a working man, and tried to instil in his children the same work ethics. He was a
practical man, always working with his hands, building and making things. His shed was an
Aladdin’s cave of tools and half finished projects. They didn’t have much money but Peter always
made sure they had a holiday each year, and provided as best he could. He was proud of his four
children and their achievements, an unspoken pride.
Having grown up in a fragmented family that really didn’t demonstrate a great deal of love and
affection he lived for his family, they were the focus of his life. He found it difficult sometimes
to express his feelings for his family, but there was no doubt about his commitment and love. About
10 years ago he and Maureen took on the care of four of his grand children, Lillian, Lawrence,
Christina and Anthony, with the same devotion that he had always given; at a time in his life when
he should have been thinking about his retirement.
Looking back through family photos, it seems like there aren’t many of Peter, and you wonder why.
Then you realise that the reason he’s not there is because he is the one taking the picture,
recording his family life, for his memories, and for all of us to look back at and smile.
Peter leaves behind a wife, four children, 15 grand children and 4 great grand children, . He will
never be forgotten.
Wil miss you will see you again soon x x x .

we will keep your memory alive as long as we live on .........