We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Peter Drake (Hexham) Teacher (QEHS). Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Click on the heart to let us know you were here and to receive email updates. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
"Pedro" (Peter Drake) left this earth while staying with his son's family in Hexham, Victoria, Australia, after a brief struggle with Covid-19. Pete was born in Calgary, Canada and was educated at the town's "Queen Elizabeth High School" (QEHS); he left for England (he held British citizenship through his parents - both natives of London) to train to become a teacher of chemistry and science. He later changed, mid-career, the focus of... see more"Pedro" (Peter Drake) left this earth while staying with his son's family in Hexham, Victoria, Australia, after a brief struggle with Covid-19. Pete was born in Calgary, Canada and was educated at the town's "Queen Elizabeth High School" (QEHS); he left for England (he held British citizenship through his parents - both natives of London) to train to become a teacher of chemistry and science. He later changed, mid-career, the focus of his interest in education, becoming a schools inspector (and later chief educational advisor) to the government of England & Wales. (Several of his academic papers, treatises and reports are still accessible at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk and https://www.gov.uk)
Upon retirement he kept a promise to his wife by heading stateside with her and setting up home in her birthplace of Northumberland, NY.
He was a quiet but strong-willed gentleman, who was blessed with both a razor-sharp intellect and a gently mocking sense of humor - certainly, grumpy faces were "banned from every classroom" that he ever taught in!
He leaves two grown sons (Peter Jnr. and Jeremy), wife Diana, and his two elderly poodles (his beloved "teenage girls"!).