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Obituary of Peter Raymond Lovell
LOVELL, Dr. Peter R. passed away in Fredericton, NB on January 22, 2025 after struggling with declining health for several years. He leaves many wonderful memories for his wife and best friend, Karen Willick Lovell, his sister-in-law Patricia Willick Dobie and her family and the McClellan siblings who always seemed like family.
Peter was born in 1942 in Niagara Falls, Ontario the only child of Margaret (Johnson) and H.B Raymond Lovell. He attended Simcoe Street School, N.F.C.V.I., Greater Niagara General Hospital (MT), The University of Waterloo (BA Honours Anthropology), McMaster University (MA & PhD). The bulk of Dr. Lovell’s academic career was spent with the Department of Anthropology at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton where he served as Department Chair for several terms. His favourite place to be was in the classroom, large or small. He loved teaching and interacting with the students. He had an unusual way of presenting his lecture. He seldom referred to his notes so he was able to walk about all the while looking at the students and encouraging discussions and debates. He felt that this method was responsible for very large class enrollments, often 200 or more students in some courses; more than a few standing ovations at the end of classes and multiple nominations for teaching awards at the faculty and university level.
In his youth, Peter was an enthusiastic member of Niagara Memorial Militaries Drum Corp. To perform with them, he had to learn the values of persistent hard work, meticulous preparation and commitment to something such as a cause of outside of oneself. These traits served him well for the rest of his life.
In 1967 Peter married Karen Willick of Chippawa, Ontario. It seemed that they seldom needed the outside world – they had each other.
In 1975 Peter and Karen left Canada bound for the New Hebrides chain of islands in the Southwest Pacific full of enthusiasm expecting to spend a year there in order for Peter to gather material for his PhD. They later named this their South Pacific misadventure. Anything that could go wrong, did go wrong and after a few months, they felt that it would be wise to return to Canada. They were ill, discouraged and defeated. However, within several months, and with immeasurable help from his advisor Dr. William L. Rodman, Peter was able to return to the area on his own (Karen was not healthy enough to accompany him.) He successfully completed a year of research on the island of Ambae, Vanuatu. It was a difficult year for Peter because he missed having Karen beside him. Yet he grew to love the people of Ambae and their beautiful South Pacific island.
Dr. Lovell was honoured to be used as a consultant for a documentary produced for general audiences (“Ecco Homo”) on marriage systems around the world which has been translated into many languages and shown worldwide. He was also delighted when Stephanie Nielson included him in her publication “The Heart of Niagara.”
Both Peter and Karen knew that living with 100 young men could be a challenge. Indeed, there were challenges but there were wonderful times and some eye opening experiences living with the “Gentlemen of Harrison House” on the UNB campus. Also, Don MacAdam’s dog Mike was always a delight.
Photography came later into Peter’s life. He would spend hours and days working on one photograph to make it express what he saw when he was taking the photo. His favourite subjects were flowers and classic cars. He ended up with some outstanding photos.
Peter was always happy that his Dad had shared his love of classical music with him. They would often spend the weekend afternoon playing records and discussing the composers and their music. It was a lifetime of pleasure for him.
Arrangements have been entrusted to York Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place and burial will be at a later date in Chippawa, Ontario.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Council of Canadians, 300 – 251 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 9Z9 or charity of choice. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com

In Loving Memory
Peter Lovell
1942 - 2025
Contact
Fredericton: (506) 458-9538
New Bandon: (506) 365-7577
yorkfuneralhome@yorkfh.com
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