Community mourns loss of philanthropist Peter Partridge
He was known for his passion for the arts and his benevolence, and to at least one business leader, Peter Partridge Sr. will be forever remembered as “Mr. St. Catharines.”
The family of Mr. Partridge said the prominent businessman and philanthropist died suddenly at his home in St. Catharines on Thursday morning. He was 76. While he was vice-president and portfolio manager at RBC Dominion Securities for 48 years, Partridge is best known in the community as a supporter of the arts and a volunteer.
“He truly was St. Catharines. He believed in our city and contributed to the community in so many ways, from conducting musicals to contributions to the university, to supporting the performing arts centre,” said family friend and local businessman Angelo Nitsopoulos. “The list goes on, and that’s why he was Mr. St. Catharines.”
Mr. Partridge served as fundraising chair for the First-Ontario Performing Arts Centre, and along with his wife Janet and their family, made a donation of $1 million in 2013 for that capital campaign. The largest of the four performance venues in the centre, Partridge Hall, was named in his honour. He has also held leadership roles with United Way and Brock University, where he served two three-year terms on Brock’s board of trustees and was very active on board committees. He was named a trustee emeritus in 2016.
“He loved everything about St. Catharines and Niagara and loved giving back and helping out. That was his passion,” said his son and business partner
Peter Jr.
In fact, it didn’t take long after he moved to the city in 1964, after spending time in England studying at the Royal Academy of Music and working as the assistant to the organist of Westminster Abbey to get involved in the community.
From a radio show on the local airwaves, “Invitation to Good Music,” to starting up the Brock Glockenspiels choir at Brock University, to supporting a variety of local arts organizations, he made his mark quickly. He spent time as music director at St. Paul Street United Church (now Silver Spire) and for the last 27 years conducted the city’s Civic Christmas Carol Concert at St. Thomas Church.
“In front of the crowd he would just really enjoy himself. He was in his element,” he said. “He loved the opportunity, he loved the Christmas music, he loved the Christmas spirit and what the event meant and how it benefitted the community.”
His father, said Peter Jr., was passionate about his role leading the fundraising campaign for the First-Ontario PAC, and was proud of his family’s donation.
“He told us, ‘I’ve conducted in every high school, church and gym and there’s never been a venue like that — it was something needed,’” he said.
While known for his contributions to the community, Peter Jr. said his dad was also selfless and devoted at home. “Family was so important to him,” he said, adding he came to every hockey game he played, and followed suit with his grandsons. In fact, he said, the last time he saw his father was Tuesday night, at one of his son’s hockey games.
St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik issued a statement Friday saying he is shocked and saddened by Mr. Partridge’s death.
“We lost a friend who gave so much of his time, talent and treasure to our community. He was generous with his time to assist and lead many cultural and charitable causes,” Sendzik said.
Former St. Catharines Mayor Brian McMullan was shocked to hear of the passing of Mr. Partridge, who he had seen only a few days ago.
“He was a gentleman through and through,” said McMullan. “A really great man and true patron of the arts and this city.”
McMullan said when the performing arts centre was being developed, it became clear that fundraising was going to be critically important. As mayor, it fell to McMullan to choose a chair for the capital fundraising campaign. Partridge, he said, was the obvious choice.
“When I approached him, he said ‘Why me? Are you sure I am the right person for this?’ He was very humble in that way,” said McMullan. “But he jumped in with both feet.”
Nitsopoulos said the city has lost too many leaders such as Partridge over the past few years, following the deaths of Jan Cook, David Howes and Joe and Anita Robertson.
“We’ve lost another leader in our community, another in a list of too many over the years,” said Nitsopoulos.
will miss his generosity, we will miss his smile and we will miss a great man.”
— With files from Grant Lafleche