We are very sad to let everyone know that Peter died on February 2, 2018. His death, although expected, leaves us all with a huge hole in our lives -- one that friends and family will understand and help to fill in the years ahead.

Peter is survived by his wife, Margot Howard and their two children -- Jake and Annie -- and Peter's sister and brothers and their families -- Susan Ballantyne and Ken Bird and son Sam Ballantyne, James and Vicky Ballantyne and their sons Will, Hamish and Finley and Jeff and Trish Ballantyne and their daughter Rose and son Lucas Davies. Margot's family -- Nancy, Gillian, Peter and Leslie, Ian and Robin and their sons Chris, Daniel and daughter Rachael will always miss him. Peter’s parents, Ann Ballantyne (nee Gerow) and David Ballantyne passed away many years ago.

Peter was born on June 3, 1956 in Fredericton, New Brunswick and, while Toronto became home during law school, New Brunswick and the family cottage at Robertson Point continued to be a very special place for Peter, Margot, Jake, and Annie.

Peter graduated from Ridley College in 1975, the Ivey Business School in 1979, and University of Toronto's Law School in 1983 after a summer as Frank Iacobucci's student in 1982, or as Frank is delighted to remember, the summer Italy won the World Cup. Later, Frank was to marry Peter and Margot in a family ceremony in their backyard. Something greatly appreciated by Peter who had a gift for maintaining friendships throughout his life. The family truly appreciates the care and support that they have received from their friends and family over the years - the connections run deep.

Following graduation from law school, Peter began his career in 1983 at Torys LLP, a firm that became his professional home for life. He has described Torys as a remarkable place to practice with his colleagues and friends at Torys giving him huge support throughout the course of his illness. Peter became a partner in 1991 and really believed that there is no better partnership. Peter was one of the first (if not the first) lawyer in Canada to focus on the private equity funds formation space, a step he at one point feared might be too specialized but which proved, through great colleagues and amazing clients, to be an area that continues to thrive.

Peter's diagnosis of cancer came in 2006 and both he and Margot want to recognize the extraordinary care he received from his entire care team throughout the next 11 years at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Toronto General Hospital. Drs. Neil Fleshner, Gary Rodin, Pauline Pariser and Denny DePetrillo were with Peter and Margot throughout. He would also like to recognize the whole chemotherapy and radiation therapy teams at Princess Margaret as well as the Toronto General Emergency Department. Peter viewed the 11 years from diagnosis to now as a time to live life to the fullest and spend as much time with his family as he could. This wouldn’t have been possible without the medical care that he received.

The palliative team, led by Dr. Breffni Hannon, made sure that Peter was able to live the last year of his life with as little pain as possible and to do most things he wished to do. There really aren’t words to express how much we appreciate the palliative care we received and how they have made the unbearable bearable.

Peter also wanted to acknowledge the transfusion team at Princess Margaret and the blood donors who took the time to give the gift of life and made it possible for him to live a high quality and engaged life in his final year. It was important to Peter and to Margot that he was able to take Jake to university for first year and be there to make sure that Annie had someone at the finish line of most of her races and to support her many accomplishments at school. No person could be a prouder Dad than Peter of his two kids.

A service of remembrance will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday February 9th, 2018 at the Rosedale United Church with a reception to follow at the church.

Peter has asked that, in lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in his memory he would greatly appreciate support for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre or the Emergency Department at Toronto General Hospital. He would also hope that you consider becoming a blood donor to the Canadian Blood Services.