Obituary of Richard Alexander Peacock

Richard Alexander Peacock passed away on November 1, 2024, at the Saint John Regional Hospital, after a long struggle with dementia. Born in February 1948 in Moncton, Rick lived his life to the fullest, and was an uplifting presence, a happy friend and neighbour, and a community role model to all who knew him.

Inspired by the war service of his father and many uncles, along with his own early dedication to the scouting movement, Rick gave much of his life in service to his community, his church, and his nation. He spent more than twenty years as a Mountie, serving in both Newfoundland and in Ottawa, and proudly highlighted mementos from his service with the RCMP in his final years. He earned a degree from Carleton University while working as a Mountie, and loved undertaking complex investigative work with the RCMP’s national commercial crime unit. After retiring from the RCMP, Rick spent another decade as Director of Security at UNB in Fredericton and introduced a new degree of professionalism to this office. 

For Rick, service to community didn’t just take place at work. Many of his lifelong friends were either in the RCMP or the Canadian military, and he would often volunteer with them to give a helping hand in a Christmas kettle campaign or pancake fundraiser; paint someone’s house or lay new flooring; or help to organize a youth sporting event or scouting jamboree.

A person of quiet faith and curiosity, he would happily discuss the big questions in life with relatives and friends. He served many leadership roles with the Anglican Church in Ottawa, Fredericton and in Grand Bay-Westfield, and helped to lay the administrative foundation for the establishment of the Church of Resurrection. True to his sense of community, the church role he cherished the most was being a Sunday school teacher.

Rick also sought to enjoy every moment in life, either by birdwatching on Grand Manan or in the deep woods or holding court behind his basement bar during a family celebration. He loved all forms of sports - be it baseball, basketball, golf, hockey or badminton - but he loved the friendships he formed even more. Life was truly an adventure for Rick, and his adventurous spirit took him to virtually every corner of North America. Despite all of his travels, his favourite place in the world remained the front deck of his home in Westfield, where he would spend many happy hours overlooking the majestic Saint John River.

He is survived by his wife Linda (Ketch) who shared fifty-five wonderful years of marriage with Rick. He is also fondly remembered by his two sons and their spouses, Brian (Jaime) and Kurt (Carla). His character is also cherished by his four grandchildren, Steven, Scott, Kate and Alex.

Rick is also survived by his sister Joan Pearce and brother Jim (Patricia), as well as his in-laws Mark and Darlene Ketch and Kathy and Ricky Paul. Rick also provided many fond memories to countless nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his brother John (Lillian) and sister Barb (Dave) Crossley as well as his parents James and Lillith Peacock.

His family would like to thank all those who helped to ensure that Rick’s final years were comfortable, including Bailee McDermott who helped to bring out Rick’s wonderful smile until the very end.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, (506-634-7424). With visitation on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 3:00 – 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held from The Church of The Resurrection (20 MacDonald Avenue, Grand Bay-Westfield) on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM. An hour of visitation will be held prior to the service. Interment will take place in St. Peter’s Anglican Church Cemetery (Woodman’s Point). Donations in memory of Rick can be sent to the Church of the Resurrection, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.