Our Friend Pete's Life

The Entrepreneur Years: Part 2

2019-02-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Most of Peter’s working life he either was an entrepreneur or planned to be one. He created many small firms, mostly in the marketing and PR space. I still have business cards from some of his endeavors, and I recall most of the others because Peter talked business—a lot!

This is the second in a series about his businesses. Some of you who read this may remember stories and anecdotes. Feel free to add them in the comments.

Following his first startup, Businesstech Communications, Peter worked for Rattray Publications as managing director from 1984 to 1986. It was an affiliate of International Data Group, the world's largest publisher of information technology publications and research data at that time. Rattray published Computerworld Canada, a weekly tabloid, and Micromanager, a monthly magazine.

In 1986, Peter co-founded Marketech with Joseph Zankowicz as a Toronto-based company that assisted developers of technology to bring their products to market. They had a classy office at 212 King St. West in Toronto. Within a block were two major theatres and many great bars and restaurants.

I moved back to Toronto late in 1986 to work at Graham Software, a firm that assisted software companies in development and distribution. Peter helped me get the job. Its office was in the same building as Marketech. Those were heady times. Peter and I were making the most money of our lives to that point, much which we spent within a block of the office.

Marketech’s client list included Alias Research Inc., Cognos Inc., Graham Software, Microsoft Canada, the Royal Bank of Canada, and Ontario's Ministry of Industry, Trade and Technology. Peter helped found and grow the Ontario Software Developers Association.

I returned to Ottawa in mid-1987 after Graham closed its doors. (The release of the first version of Windows killed it. The company’s offerings were all in DOS and it did not have enough money to retool.) Business at Marketech began to flounder. In 1988, Peter signed over his share to Joe and walked away to seek new ventures.

The Entrepreneur Years: Part 1

2018-02-02T07:38:00.001-07:00

Most of Peter’s working life he either was an entrepreneur or planned to be one. He created many small firms, mostly in the marketing and PR space. I still have business cards from some of his endeavors, and I recall most of the others because Peter talked business—a lot!

This is the first in a series about his businesses. Some of you who read this may remember stories and anecdotes. Feel free to add them in the comments.

He began his career as a journalist, working in small-town weeklies in Ontario. He was a natural writer. It was an easy transition from journalism to marketing.

The first business I recall him starting was Businesstech Communications around 1980 (give or take a year) in rented office space. He recognized the potential for growth in Canada’s technology sector early, and knew they needed help getting their messages to the marketplace.

Peter was always an early adopter of technology. He acquired one of the first dedicated word processors available. I think it was a Xerox 860, or one of that vintage, with a dot-matrix printer. It stored data on 8-inch floppies with about 600KB of storage. I believe he leased the system—the price was about ten grand, according to what I’ve read on line. (Click this link to see an old ad for the 860: YouTube video)

I cannot remember how long this one-man business existed. Peter did continue as a marketing consultant into the early 80s. His work with Quasar Systems (later Cognos) lead to my entry into the high-tech industry in 1983.

Wise Words from James T. Kirk

2017-02-01T17:27:00.001-07:00

In 2016, William Shatner released a book about his years with the late Leonard Nimoy. When explaining why he wrote the book, Shatner said, “When you lose someone you love, someone you’ve shared experiences with, you no longer have that person to say ‘remember when?’ And if you can’t validate that memory, you gradually lose that memory. The whole experience begins to dissolve unless you write it down.”

That is the reason why this web site exists. This is why I write his stories here. It is why I ask those who knew Peter for 20-30-40 years (or a lifetime in the case of family) to join in the celebration when they can.

When Peter and I got together—I visited him three time in Arizona—we did a lot of “remember when.” We also knew we needed to create new memories when we got together. So we had adventures, trips around Arizona and New Mexico meeting interesting people and visiting odd places.

Here's a picture from a visit to the famous cowboy graveyard Tombstone, Arizona.

Missing the Conversation

2016-02-01T16:05:00.001-07:00

On this fifth anniversary of Peter's passing, I think once again how I miss not being able to tell him what I am up to. We used to regularly trade email and phone calls, or share a pint if in the same town.

I write this from a secluded lodge in the southwest corner of Costa Rica. The message was uploaded through a feeble hotspot hosted by the lodge cell phone.

The lodge is surrounded by primal forest in a national park, where exotic trees grow in tiers up steep hills, and birds and monkeys squawk and howl from the canopy. Seawater the temperature of a warm bath temps us to swim and snorkel. There is cold beer in a fridge and great home cooked meals. I'd like to be able to tell Peter all this.

I'd like to tell him about the wedding last night in San Jose, where Amelia's niece got married. A hundred people of Chinese descent listened to a ceremony in Spanish, in a church operated by the Jehovah Witnesses. That's a cultural experience! At dinner, I was the only uni-lingual person at our table, maybe in the whole room. These are good stories to trade and discuss. Peter and I did that for years. It was the bond that bridged the distance gap as life took us down different roads.

I have other good friends who will listen to my stories but their responses will not have that unique Peter quality. When at his best, he had a way of always making your experiences seem important.

Anniversary 2015 Get-Together

2015-02-02T06:56:00.000-07:00

On February 1, several of Pete’s fans came together at our place (Shaun and Amelia in Pakenham, Ontario) to play in the winter snow, eat, drink and talk about Peter. We agreed to co-author this blog post.

Shaun Writes

Linda Vanderlee arrived just after lunch and accompanied Amelia and I for a snowshoe jaunt. With seven inches of new snow on the ground and the sun shining in a cold sky (0F/-18C), we hiked into the woods for several hours. This was the time of year that Peter always came from sunny Tucson to renew his visa. The last time he visited us, he snowshoed on much the same trail as today.

Nathan Rudyk and Glenna Watts arrived near sunset for dinner. It was an evening to reminisce.

A few months before Pete died four years ago, I succeeded in winning a councillor seat on our small town council. Peter was so proud. In 2014, I ran for mayor (successfully). Through the campaign, Nathan and I often remarked how we could feel Peter watching. We knew, if alive, he’d be there by our side in the campaign trenches.

Amelia, Linda, Shaun, Glenna, Nathan

Linda Writes

Late January and early February is the time of year I am most aware of my brother’s absence. For many years, this was when he would take leave of the desert to spend time in his home country. In the dead of winter. (A subliminal way to confirm his decision to live in Arizona perhaps?) He would spend a few days with me in Rupert, taking in the cultural wonders of Wakefield, and him advising me (of course) on my business and property. But a good chunk of time was also just for him to simply crash on my couch, in front of the fire, relaxing with a trashy novel. He relished those times, as did I.

Interesting that so many of Peter’s friends (at least the ones I know and consider my friends too) live rurally. He often called our respective places ‘paradise’ though he did not choose this life for himself. It’s lovely to be with our mutual friends, wondering at the beauty of the snow, the comfort of a warm home and enjoying great food and conversation.

Thinking of you Big Bro.

Nathan Writes

It was a wonderful evening seeing Linda and remembering Peter with Amelia, Glenna and Shaun. Red wine, good food, friends, and music (Linda and I with our ukes) made for a Petery evening. If we were all pieces of cloth and string, Peter was the one who sewed our lives together. I met Shaun through Peter and we worked together on many projects, me working for him, he working for me, and the latest, me working for him on his Mayoral campaign. We met Linda through Peter and she looked after our kids at her daycare during our sojourn in Quebec. Peter helped Glenna find her first job in the computer industry and was as involved as any brother (mine) and uncle (for the kids) would be in the lives of our children. He was first a mentor, and then a friend who knew no boundaries to loyalty, optimism and encouragement. He’s never very far in my mind, and when I think of him these days, it’s with less regret for losing him, and more appreciation for having the good fortune to share the planet with him for a while. Thanks Pete.

The Summer of ‘77

2014-02-01T07:51:00.001-07:00

The summer of 1977 often comes to mind. Peter and I (Shaun) and two of our mutual friends—Al Page and Ron Scammell—all lived in the Beach area of Toronto. Back then the community had not over-gentrified and the shops, restaurants and bars still had a village quality to them.

In ’77, I was recently separated and 25. Pete was single and 22. We both worked at least part time for a student publication edited by Ron. Living close to the lake and its beaches that summer gave a cottage feel to our lives. Often several of us played a game we invented called Frisbee golf—we’d select distant trees or objects and count how many throws it took to hit the target. Like real golf, the lower the count the better.

Many mornings we’d meet for breakfast at a local restaurant, the Nevada (long gone), at the corner of Queen and Kenilworth run by a Greek family. We just asked for the regular and they knew. (I always had two eggs over easy with fries and coffee.) Pete, I and Ron often talked about our writing careers and what we wanted out of life.

On many warm evenings, Pete and I took our guitars to the beach and played a few tunes, hoping to attract an audience of mostly women. To some extent, we succeeded. We had played in a garage band and did a very respectable version of Take It Easy by the Eagles.

That summer, Pete experienced his most prolific period of song writing—I swear he had two or three new tunes every week. Some were thankfully forgotten. Some still survive. (See my post for Feb 1. of 2013.)

The summer of ’77 was special. We were young and eager, and life’s promises loomed ahead of us. If I had Bryan Adam’s talent, I’d write a song about it.

Music Man Peter

2013-02-01T06:48:00.001-07:00

Back in the 70s and early 80s, Peter, I (Shaun) and Jim Larocque regularly jammed together. I taped many of the sessions, first on an old Akai reel-to-reel and later on a cassette deck. Some of those tapes survived in the bottom of drawers and back of shelves.

In 2011, Jim and I donated our tapes to Peter’s brother Mike, who has lots of sound manipulation gizmos and knows how to use them. He did his best to clean up the static and hiss, and add some depth to the cheap two-track sound. The collection is distinctly amateur quality but does do justice to Peter’s fine vocal talent and harmonica talents.

The collection includes several covers and these original creations by Peter:

Broken Down and Broken Hearted

Child’s Eyes

Drivin’ Wild

I Just Can’t Stand It No More

Losing Side of Life

Man With the Bottle in His Hand

Someone Is Thinking of You

Tell Me That You Care

Wrong Time

If you have a chance, download and listen to Tell Me That You Care.

The whole collection is available at Dropbox.

Covered artists include: Eagles, Credence Clearwater, Eric Anderson, David Wiffin, Marshall Tucker Band, Steve Goodman, and Neil Young.

Peter Past and Present

2012-01-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

On the sad occasion of the first anniversary of Peter's passing, I decided to post another happy memory of the past and an update on Peter's impact on the present.

Past

This picture comes from the mid-1970s. Pete and I built a small wooden dam on a creek on my father's property near Cobourg. I gave a copy of this picture to Peter in 2002 on the occasion of our 30 years of friendship. The photo's title is "When Peter had a waist and Shaun had hair."

In the summer of 2007, I wrote an historical fiction story and sent Pete a copy. He advised in the strongest terms that I turn it into a book. Peter, who knew my greatest dream was to be a published fiction writer, said, “Shaun, you’ve finally found your voice.”

Present

The book, Counter Currents, is finished. Peter shares the dedication page with my late father.

The "P. Lug" Cup - Peter Vanderlee Memorial Trophy

2011-10-28T18:20:00.005-07:00

We (Peter's old hockey mates) created the P.Lug Cup trophy for an annual memorial hockey challenge as part of our regular Sunday morning Rocket hockey (in Weston, Ontario, Canada).

Peter enjoyed many years/beers at Rocket hockey when he came to town; so we're sure he would be laughing at the fact we spray painted his actual jock cup and mounted it on a trophy.

The plaque says:

Weston Red Rockets

P. Lug Cup

In Memory of Peter Vanderlee #747 - Forever in Our Hearts

Sept 30, 1954 – Feb 1, 2011

The P.Lug part comes from the many times we needed a player to be “plugged in” to either team to balance a roster during our mini-tournaments, and Peter was that guy; so he became know as the “Plug”. We actually had the P. Lug name put on the back of a jersey with the number 747, because first there was the Golden Jet (Booby Hull), then the Golden Brett (Brett Hull) and of course the Jumbo Jet (Peter Vanderlee).

Posted For Mike Vanderlee

Peter’s farewell tour: Stop #5, Rupert, Quebec

2011-06-23T16:38:00.004-07:00

Saturday, June 11th was the last of the five (yup, he had a very wide net!) stops on the Big Pete's Farewell Tour.

This one was held here at my place, in lovely Rupert, QC, Peter's other paradise.

Friends and friends of friends and family gathered one more time to celebrate the life we shared with Peter.

It started with sunshine, lots of great food and the requisite beverages out on the deck...

...and continued with more story telling, musically and otherwise, including tales of Peter.

We were just missing our harp player, the guy who could also belt out made up blues on the spot.

Perhaps he was jamming along from another plain.

Love ya Bro!

Linda

Peter’s farewell tour: Stop #1, Tucson

2011-03-28T16:50:00.005-07:00

In his 12 years in Tucson, Arizona, Peter pulled together a wide network of friends and associates. Many of them gathered February 20, 2011, at the home of Lowell Thomas to comfort each other and begin Peter’s farewell tour.

Peter’s cremated remains filled two urns. As his sister Linda said: there is plenty of him to go around. Family and friends spread the contents of one urn on the slopes of Mount Lemon, a spot with a spectacular view of Tucson and the Sonora desert. The other urn is destined for a special spot in Canada.

Jess Vanderlee, Ken Teague and his wife (sorry, don't know the name), Les Geisal, Linda Vanderlee, Mike Vanderlee

The first tour stop began the practice of laying out a memorabilia shrine to Peter. His old hockey sweater.

A Toronto Maple Leafs flag flew at the roof of Lowell's house. Lowell plans to fly each each February 1 to honor Peter and his unwavering support of the lowly Toronto Maple Leafs!

Peter’s farewell tour: Stop #3, Toronto

2011-03-28T16:31:00.001-07:00

About 40 friends, relatives and old buddies gathered on March 19, 2011, at the Canyon Creek eatery on Front St. in Toronto, to wish Peter farewell and to trade stories. As usual, such gatherings are bitter-sweet. We all miss the big guy but it was great seeing old friends after a decade or two.

Some pictures follow.

Part of the gang at Canyon Creek. From left to right: Shaun (me), Kate (still vivacious after all these years), Carol, Margo (Peter's former wife), Jessica Vanderlee, Rebecca and Virginia (Jess's aunts), Mike Vanderlee, Lauren Vanderlee, Aline, Zach Vanderlee

Peter's old hockey shirt and other mementos. Many guests that night were hockey buddies Peter played with when he visited his brother Mike in Toronto.

Peter's farewell tour: Stop #4, Kingston memorial

2011-03-28T13:04:00.010-07:00

On Sunday, March 20th we gathered with childhood family friends, the van der Kooi's and the Bayly's, to remember Peter. Thank you to all who were able to join us.

Also much appreciation to Rev. Jack Bennett and the staff of Rideaucrest who helped to make this occasion go forward smoothly.

Pictures follow.

Jack Bennett and Dad

Mike Vanderlee and Tony van der Kooi, two eloquent speakers of the day.

Mom/Oma enjoying her grand daughters in the centre.

Zach Vanderlee (Peter's nephew) guarding the coffee and tea.

Peter’s farewell tour: Stop #2, Ottawa

2011-03-14T09:14:00.006-07:00

Peter would have enjoyed it, I'm quite sure. Seventeen friends from the world of words, car racing, jams and business gathered to share stories and drinks together March 12, 2011, at Maxwell's bar on Elgin St. in downtown Ottawa.

It was wonderful to see you all!

Here are a few pictoral momento's:

The 17

On the right is Mike Barnaby who travelled from Halifax to join us. Across from him is Shaun McLaughlin.

Maxwell's was Peter's favorite bar when he lived in Ottawa.

Which way would Peter go? Ron and Mike seem to have different idea's on that front. :)

Peter's baseball days

2011-03-13T11:01:00.002-07:00

Back in 1981, I (Jeff Larocque) was manager of the Balmy Arms Bruisers, a pub league, three-pitch team. Peter held down first base. We played other pubs in the "Beaches" area of Toronto once a week in season.

Peter makes the cover of Bruiser News

Peter was instrumental in helping me get a bartender job at the Balmy Arms pub. He set up an interview for me with Kate McMullen, the senior bartender, and I was hired with little to no reference-checking. I later became the bar manager. That gig ended up being a fun filled, three-year stint with some crazy nights. Thank's Pete.

The Bruiser team. That's Peter in the middle of all the women. Shaun McLaughlin is at the back with his arms up. Jeff Larocque is the guy in front of Shaun with the white shirt.

The Balmy Arms no longer exists. They tore it down, along with three other businesses adjacent to it to create a row of condos facing onto Queen Street East.

Pete also rented me a room in his home in the upper Beaches area for almost a year. During that time, I remember him buying a turbo-charged black Mustang that had serious kick-ass power... and then later on, he had a retro GTO (sweet). We enjoyed spinning tunes on my stereo when we typically hung out... which was usually Sundays. I remember him liking pretty much anything by the Eagles... and I tried my best to turn him into a Steely Dan fan but he remained true to his country rock artists.

Pete was a great friend, and helped me launch my career and find my strength in people and relationship-oriented business opportunities.

"Take It Easy" Pete.... cause your "Already Gone".. to the great "Hotel California" in the sky.

Posted on behalf of Jeff Larocque

Painting on the balcony

2011-03-09T20:48:00.001-07:00

On my visit in 2004 I spent some relaxing time on Peter's balcony messing about with pastels and paints while enjoying the view of 'his' mountain.

I think this wee memento just increased its sentimental value for me.

Tucson landscape images

2011-03-09T20:17:00.003-07:00

Peter loved the Tucson area. This set of pictures shows part of the reason why.

View from Peter's balcony in Tucson

Slideshow:early years and more

2011-03-09T19:15:00.002-07:00

Family and friends over the years

A Signature Trick

2011-03-09T18:25:00.002-07:00

I met Peter at Humber College in 1972. We’d both enrolled in journalism. He had just turned 18. I was 20. Between classes we often went to the gym. Peter was fit and lean, and just out of high school football.

One of our regular stops on the gym circuit was the trampoline. I still have vivid memories of Peter’s signature trick. He called it the dead man’s drop.

He’d get on that trampoline and bounce up, and up, until he was as high as he could go. Then, he’d half flip and drop head first towards the mat. Down he’d plummet. No matter how often I saw him do the trick, I always anticipated disaster. At the very last milli-second, he’d tuck his chin to his chest, execute a forward roll, and come to rest standing near the edge.

He knew I sweated each time he did it. And he actually cut it closer and closer over time. He never doubted his ability to pull it off. He was like that with many things.

Peter and Bozo Racing

2011-02-28T17:03:00.007-07:00

Long time buddy Shaun McLaughlin sent me the news. Like most, I could not believe what I was reading. When Shaun said that they were considering setting up a blog to commemorate Pete’s life, I thought it was a great idea. Seeing everyone’s entries to date, I now understand that I was just a small part of Pete’s larger-than-life life. I wanted to contribute to the blog, but there are so many stories and memories to tell that I did not know where to start. Some of you might remember that for a short time, Peter owned a motorcycle….so here goes…

Our last summer as “teenagers” began, appropriately, over beers in the Lambton Tavern in Toronto. It was January 1981. I was 27 at the time. Peter was about the same. We would start a motorcycle race team and call it Bozo Racing. After several more beers it made great sense: we would be going really fast on a road devoid of Buicks driven by grey-haired men wearing hats. Ambulances would be waiting if we crashed. What could go wrong with a plan like that?

I sent in my $35 fee and an application form to the Canadian Motorcycle Association and instantly became a CMA amateur road racer. Peter would be my “crew”. Getting to the track with the bike was a problem but Peter knew a guy with a full size GM van that he thought he might be able to borrow. As winter moved towards spring, Pete & I tore down my trusty 1974 Yamaha RD350 and rebuilt it as a Production Racer – essentially a stock bike without lights. Looking back, I have no idea why it took so long for us to accomplish that... but then, the Lambton Tavern was only about 5 km from my apartment….

April 23/24 was the first race weekend at Shannonville, near Belleville. True to his word, Peter showed up with a white GM van – I don’t remember who he borrowed it from – or if they were even aware that he had borrowed it. That first weekend was a revelation: I was not fast – but I was not last either. And it was a total blast. Peter had a great time even though he did not do a single lap. He was talking to the other racers and crew and breathing in the whole experience. I remember laughing a whole lot that weekend.

In our second race in early May, a long time friend Al Page appeared out of nowhere to watch. Al was one of the “notorious” Nipple Riders Motorcycle Club which included Warren Wood, and Rick Hampton. Knowing the 3 of these guys, I don’t believe that the Nipple Riders struck much fear into anyone other than themselves. I was struggling to improve my lap times. After a couple of practice sessions Peter offered some sage advice: “Jim - You need to go faster”. Pete started doing split times on my laps and we discovered that we were competitive on the slow part of the track – but at least a second slower on the fast part of the track. Now, knowing that did not improve my lap times, but at least I understood why I was getting passed.

As the summer went along, my younger brother Jeff began to show up at races. Jeff had a newer 1979 RD400A. Peter also had the race bug bad and jumped into the game purchasing a brand new Yamaha RD350LC - a very sweet, quick bike.

Over more beers at the Lambton, we agreed to put a full team of 3 bikes on the track for the big race at Shannonville on the long August weekend. We had custom leathers made by Horvath Leathers on Queen Street. Bozo Racing was written across the back. We looked like pros even if we didn’t know what we were getting into. We took Friday off to practice for the big weekend. Before long, I crashed on a sharp left hander and bent the handlebars – but no real damage was done. Peter and Jeff were doing well. Jeff was setting lap times less than a second slower than my best time – on his first day on the track no less. This does not indicate that Jeff was fast, just that I was really slow. Anyway, Peter was having a great time – you could see his ear-to-ear grin even when he was wearing a full face helmet. Eventually – after many requests - he let me ride his bike. It was quick and smooth. So quick that I approached that left hander about 10 mph faster than I had ever done before – and I laid his bike down, tweaking the fork and knocking off the tachometer. If you’re counting – I was now 2 for 2. Peter wasn’t overjoyed, but he did not react as badly as I would have expected given that I had just crashed his new bike.

Gail & Jim Larocque, Pete, Rick Gallant and friend…Shannonville

After lunch we replaced my handlebar and “un-tweaked” Pete’s fork. We were on the track again. I was chasing one of the quicker riders through turn 6 and got a really good lesson in ground clearance – more specifically – lack of ground clearance. Off again – this time at 60 mph or so, heading towards a hay bale – on my new leathers. After sliding for about 30 minutes (or so it seemed) I felt I was almost stopped, so I put my feet down to stand up and just walk away from it like I have seen Yvon DuHamel (a top French Canadian rider) do so many times. Well – I am not Yvon – and I was still going a good clip when by rubber soled work boots stopped my feet dead. The laws of physics took over and I performed a cartwheel that Nadia Comaneci would have been proud of - until I landed on my head. You know, broken collarbones really suck, but it could have been a lot worse.

So ended our big “race weekend”. Peter took me to the emergency ward at the Napanee hospital (not recommended) where they x-rayed me, put me in a nice “figure-8” bandage and prescribed some pretty good painkillers (highly recommended – especially when consumed with brandy). We headed back to Toronto the next morning after spending the evening in a fine Belleville establishment called the “Blackhawk Motel” – also not recommended for anyone wishing to do anything but yell, drink and have lots of noisy sex. For the record, we only yelled and drank.

Eventually I sold my leathers to a co-worker who raced bikes. I held onto that RD350 until 1993 and I still have that license plate hanging in my garage here in Ottawa - but for that one summer, we reverted back to being kids. I doubt that I would ever have realized my boyhood dream of racing a motorcycle if it were not for Peter’s encouragement and support. That’s what I remember about Pete: he was a catalyst but also an active ingredient, a great friend and a crazy bastard all at the same time.

Thanks Pete.

Peter Vanderlee: The Accomplishments

2011-02-28T16:21:00.009-07:00

I'm still incorporating the fact that Peter's left the planet.

Few, if any, friends have had the impact that Peter has had on my life. Overall it was a hugely positive impact, filled with the ultimate highs and lows associated with anyone truly interesting.

Others have spoken well to Peter's dynamism, vision, generosity, inspiration and compassion. Something I'd like to add is his "official bio". Peter and I always found or even invented reasons to work together since we were first introduced by Shaun McLaughlin in the mid-80s.

Sometimes we were in business together. Sometimes he was the client, and sometimes I was the client as our careers criss-crossed during the IT Revolution, the Internet Revolution and more recently the Clean Technology Renaissance. Clients we worked together on over the years included IBM, Xerox, Dell, EDS, Microsoft, Transport Canada, ACCO and Steelcase. But it was the smaller companies and organizations we enjoyed working with the most - the under-appreciated underdogs run by people who were creating something great out of nothing much. People like us.

The last project we worked together on, proudly, was www.considercanada.com. In the last months of his life, Peter wrote several of the company profiles for this foreign direct investment marketing initiative on behalf of Canada's "C-11" large cities. This project has received more positive press upon its launch than any other I have been involved with in my life, and Peter's success stories can take much of the credit.

It was not to be our last project, but one of many more. But, like my sorely missed friend Peter, it was a good one that will live on in many unforeseen ways. Gonna miss you man. And right now I can say I do every day.

Here's the bio that remains online at: http://market2world.com/peter-vanderlee-bio

Peter Vanderlee, Senior Communications Strategist (RIP: Peter passed away in Febuary, 2011 and is missed by family, his many friends and colleagues in the North American technology community, and the market2world team)

In addition to his experience as a business and financial journalist (Financial Times of Canada, Financial Post, Canadian Business), Senior Communications Strategist Peter Vanderlee also offers market2world clients more than 20 years of technology industry knowledge gained in senior positions with several high-growth entrepreneurial companies.

With market2world’s CEO Nathan Rudyk he co-founded Toronto-based tech marketing and PR agency Mindshare Marketing Group before it was acquired by merchant bank Balmoral Partners in 1993. Mindshare’s corporate clients included ACCO, Dell, EDS, IBM, Microsoft, Steelcase and Xerox as well as emerging innovators such as Image Processing Systems, Demand Systems and Vigilant Software.

Among other successful executive roles, Peter served as the President of BCB Voice Systems. Under his direction in the late 90s BCB increased revenue from $1.7 million to $7.1 million and gross profit from $448,000 to $4.8 million while raising more than $15 million in equity financing before its merger with International Neural Machines to become VoiceIQ in 2000.

As a strategic marketing consultant Peter helped reorganize and refocus several operating divisions of ACCO Brands, with an extensive assignment at Kensington Computer Products, which became ACCO’s fastest growing business unit between 2002 and 2006.

Between 2006 and 2008, Peter served as Executive Vice President of Phoenix-Arizona-based CopperKey, a developer of SaaS predictive marketing software, to assist with the company’s equity financing, corporate communications and market strategy.

A past director of the Ontario Software Developers Association, Peter has also served the Ontario Advisory Committee on the Computing Sector and is a past member of Innovator’s Alliance and ITAC’s Board of Governors.

A resident of Tuscon, Arizona since 2001, Peter has become involved in community economic development activity, joining the Desert Angels (a community investing network) and was elected to the Board of the Greater Tucson Economic Council. He also played a key role in setting up the highly successful and growing bilateral link between Ottawa and Tucson, and subsequent to that helped found the Canada Arizona Business Council, an organization he still serves as a Director. Peter also lectures at and advises the McGuire Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Business and Public Administration.

Pictures

2011-02-24T21:09:00.031-07:00

with Mom, Dad and daughter Jessica


with love of his life, daughter Jessica - on a desert tour

With Mike Darch on Peter's 50 party in my barn!

with Ron Scammell at the Kaffe 1870, Wakefield, QC

Peter and Lamin Sisay

Lamin's pic of Peter's view from his place.

My Bro in 2004 when I was checking out his new lifestyle.

Peter and John Grabo

from Mark Jodoin

2011-02-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

Peter was such a treat. We're all just bowls of cold oatmeal by comparison.

If there is a heaven, it just became smarter and a lot more fun.

'Wakefield' Mark Jodoin

from his Rocket hockey team

2011-02-24T19:52:00.001-07:00

Weston We Have A Problem

It is with a very Heavy Heart that I send out this message. A Rocket Legend has passed away. Our very own #747 and the original Plug ... PETE VANDERLEE HAS PASSED AWAY.

Pete is known to us for many things but most dear to me was that huge infectious smile, that Santa like chortle, and his love for the Rockets. He was not just a Rocket but my friend. He was an inspiration to making the Rocket experience better.

He was a great man and I will miss him dearly as I often looked forward to his annual visit. Now I'm thankful for the time he took on his last visit to talk with me and share some laughs.

Pete was the General Manager who made the big trade Ron Reaume for Flea and a beer with a 3 game to none lead in the series, brought a big bottle of Champaign but ended up losing the series 4 game to 3.

He wore the 12" 747 with pride.

He never turned down an invitation to go play in Keene He had an all pro wrist shot. No one - NO ONE - could move him from the crease. Not even a Mr Groper Blocker to the head could get the job done !

These were just a few memories.......

I am sure I speak for all when I offer Mike 'Swoop' Vanderlee # 11 our heart felt condolences.

There will be a moment of silence at centre ice for Big Pete I ask you all to join in respectfully please.

Ground control

# 3
Tom Steenson

from Chris George

2011-02-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

Linda,

Lisa and I were speaking of you last evening and we wish to send our love at this very sad time.

Peter meant a lot to his friends and we were blessed to have him as part of our lives. I am so pleased that my boys got a chance to meet him and that they heard of "Pete the snake charmer" tangling with the rattlers of the Arizona dessert.

We are so sorry for you and your family. It is such a difficult time - but we can take comfort in knowing that Pete is smiling on all of us. He exemplified the "good guy" and demonstrated always that by staying positive it is possible to find a happiness in our daily pursuits. This thought I'll be holding in my mind - along with Peter's mischievous grin.

Our thoughts are with you and your family, love,

Chris George