Peter Jacobsen

JACOBSEN, Peter…

Surrounded by family, Peter Jacobsen of Hyde Park passed away at home Monday July 18th, 2022, after a long battle against Parkinson’s.  Beloved husband of the late Carina Jacobsen (2020).  Dear father of Erik (Birgit) Jacobsen, Anita Jacobsen, and the late Christina Mayhew (2002), and son-in-law Brent (Angela) Mayhew. Cherished Opa of Nicolai and Tatiana Jacobsen, Ian and Paul Bennett, and Peter and Robert Mayhew. Beloved brother of the late Andreas (Karin), late Thomas (late Hertha), Christian (Mariechen), Margarethe, and Werner (Ruth) Jacobsen all of Germany.

Peter was born November 6, 1933 in the farming village of Holt Germany to Anna (nee Thomson) and Thomas Jacobsen.  As a young man Peter showed a love of horticulture, completing his Journeyman’s qualifications.  Seeking greater opportunities, he immigrated to Canada in 1954 speaking almost no English.  He worked in virtually every conceivable job, from road building to construction to manufacturing. In the evenings and weekends he loaded up his VW beetle with garden tools and plants and worked in garden maintenance.

Within a few years he met the love of his life, Carina, at a private party where he impressed her by taking her on a first date to Stratford Festival to see “As You Like It”.  They married on October 31st, 1959 and had 3 children.  His hard work and hustle allowed him to bring his young family back to Holt to meet his delighted parents.  Soon, he had saved enough money to buy a 25 acre farm west of Hyde Park, and built the family home that he lived in until he passed away.

By the early 1970’s he had built his first greenhouse and began to grow plants both field-grown and under glass to sell to local garden centres, retiring from his full-time job to focus on the growing business. One of the most iconic crops were his hand selected beds of pansies, sold as “Dig your own, $1.00 a dozen.”  He delighted in finding new plants to sell, even patenting his own strain of geraniums.  The business flourished and expanded steadily, continuing after Peter’s retirement under Erik’s guidance.  

Many staff and customers remember him regaling them with anecdotes, gardening tips or providing free fresh grown figs from the greenhouse.  He was always accompanied by his canine companions through the greenhouse, and especially on spaziergang through the forest.  His charm, generosity and presence are remembered to this day.  For many years he was a mentor in the garden centre, and even in illness in later years enjoyed his tours through the greenhouses.
Peter had a genuine gift for flower arranging and would often present Carina with a bouquet of fresh flowers picked from the gardens. He created beautiful Christmas arrangements and epic Advent wreaths for church.

Peter loved good food and took great pleasure in making trips to the market and buying special treats. He always grew berries and vegetables, taking great pride in harvesting and preserving the bounty. Using fresh herbs and enticing others to enjoy them was a passion. He loved making lunches for his kids, especially German pancakes, and his specialty bratkartoffel, and would often have supper on the stove when Carina came home. Everyone was welcome at the table, and many a salesman visiting the business was talked into joining him to homemade lunches.

Throughout his life Peter delighted in listening to classical music and loved attending theatre. Travel was another passion he shared with Carina and family, trips to Germany, PPA conference tours, and other exotic destinations.  Most of all he relished presiding over family gatherings. As his family grew to include six grandchildren, ever larger holiday dinners, birthdays and celebrations were the joy of his life.

Cremation has taken place. Friends are welcome for visitation on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 9-10 am at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. The memorial service will begin at 10 am in the funeral home chapel followed by a reception at 11:00 am. Interment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, London. Memorial donations can be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 1 Frank Place, London, ON N6C 1W1, Parkinson Canada, 316-4211 Yonge Street, North York, ON M2P 2A9, or to the Brain Tumour Foundation, 203-205 Horton Street East, London, ON N6B 1K7. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com