March 27, 1941 - June 11, 2026

Passed peacefully away at the Palliative Care Unit, in the presence of his loving family, Peter Damian Power of Branch, S.M.B., aged 85 years.

Predeceased by his parents, Neil and Rose Power; his sister, Celine Kear; his brothers,Harold and Leonard Power; sister-in-law, Mary Power (Manning); brothers-in-law, Norbert Lake, Fred Roche and Allen Kear; also deceased nieces and nephews, Dwayne, Brenda, Matthew, Mary Katherine, Sean and Tommy.
Leaving to mourn, his brothers, Wilfrid Bruce (Rose); Dermot; Tom (Ernestine); his sisters, Maureen Roche; Mary (Amarjit Singh); Pauline (Mike Devine) and Bernadette (Bruce Cocker); his sisters-in-law, Jean Power and Roseanne Power; also, many niecesand nephews, and a large circle of family and friends.

Peter was the fourth of eleven children born to Rose (Sullivan) and Neil Power of Branch, St. Mary’s Bay. As a child, Peter was fascinated by Nature, showing great interest in finding and protecting birds’ nests. As a teenager he entertained his younger siblings with his story telling skills and developed a keen interest in reading. Following his graduation from St. Thomas Aquinas school in Branch, he taught for several years before completing his degree in New York where he studied to be a Christian Brother, returning to teach at St. Bon’s in St. John’s.

After he left the Christian Brothers, he taught in several schools across Newfoundlandand spent many years in the Adult Education System in St Anthony. He then moved to Toronto where he completed a master’s degree in history followed by a master’s degree in divinity/theology. He served in prison ministry until he attended St. Augustine’s Seminary and was ordained a priest in 1998. This life changing career move was inspiring and reflected his life’s purpose of service. He often declared that he loved preaching more than teaching.

He served in several parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto establishing a close network of friends among fellow priests and parishioners. After his retirement in 2010, Peter returned to Newfoundland, to his home town of Branch, assisting when needed in the Archdiocese of St John’ s. 

Peter truly lived a Christian life, a life of service, looking at the human condition with eyes of love, respect and compassion. Peter was uncompromising in his belief that all human beings were equal in dignity and worth. He chose to be in solidarity with the poor, not to just "work with them", and for that he was often judged harshly. He was a man of faith who loved and studied the Roman Catholic Church, however, was tolerant of all faiths and of all doubts, believing he could learn from others outside his own religious circles. Peter was willing to let go of his ego in his service to others, imitating Jesus, not only preaching Jesus.

He lived simply and contributed to numerous charities. He was an avid reader, and his extensive collection of books was the only material possession that he ever valued. He often quoted that he lived a life of "low living and high thinking".

Peter loved to pontificate and his many nieces, nephews and friends enjoyed hearing him extol the virtues of the Royal Family and Constitutional Monarchy and expound on the history of the Catholic Church. He spoke with a sense of humour and maybe a realization that their passion for these subjects did not equal his own! At the end of each conversation, they were equally confused, entertained and enlightened!

Peter also valued and kept in touch with many lifetime friends from every walk of life. He loved the people of Branch and they, and the people of the Cape Shore, appreciated and cared for him always. His family loved him even though, in a family of huggers, he did not hug! He will be remembered by generations of our large and extended family.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mahers Funeral Services in Placentia.
Visitation will be held in Branch Church on Monday, June15th from 2pm to 9pm.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary church in Branch on Tuesday, June 16th at 1:30 pm.

Flowers gratefully accepted or a donation in his memory may be made to a charity of
your choice.