Peter’s son Tim telephoned on 1 August 2022 with the sad news that his father died that morning in Brooklands Nursing Home, Norwich. He had been resident there since late 2021.
Peter joined HMSO Norwich as an Accountant in June 1975 and moved through the ranks to become Director of Business Supplies, then – upon Privatisation – Controller of the residual body of HMSO staff remaining in Norwich.
He was a capable accountant, a fair and practical Director, a natural Controller, and a very good friend. He leaves a son, a daughter and family living in the Norwich area.
Tim Macdonald has telephoned me with funeral details for his father.
The service will take place at St. Faith’s, Norwich, at 1145 hours on Tuesday 23 August 2022, meeting afterwards at The Black Swan public house: https://www.blackswaninn.co.uk/
Please let Reg Walker know if you intend to be at the funeral by emailing [email protected]. He will inform Tim.
The EDP Family Notice can be seen here.
John Eason adds: Very sad news. A lovely man. Charming, generous. A joy to work for.
Ian Billings adds: Very sad indeed. It’s difficult to put into words how good Peter was. We both joined HMSO in Atlantic House ready for the dispersal to Norwich, Peter taking over from my first boss, who wanted to stay in the smoke. Before we moved to Norwich my son was born and Peter went to Leather Lane at lunchtime, bought my wife a huge bunch of flowers and sent me home early. We were both very touched by that.
As an ex-Major in the RAPC Peter was used to moving from place to place and I think he looked forward to moving to Costessey as ‘a normal thing’. Like me, he probably also saw it as a last posting, being the HQ and no upward movement apart from to regional offices.
Among the accountants, he was well-liked, and when promoted internally was immediately referred to as Colonel, instead of Major. Similarly, he was well-liked and well-respected in Works Management Accounting, where he led a new team, some locally recruited others transferred from London. He was fair, talked to staff as if they were equals, and – it’s a cliché, but – nobody had a bad word to say about him. He allowed people to get on and do their work without micromanaging, and was quite happy to let me take care of the closure of Harrow Press.
Years after we both retired my wife and I were in a side-street cafe in Cromer and I saw him walking towards town. I dashed across the road and he spent a short time with us catching up, despite the fact that he obviously had somewhere to go.
My very sincere condolences on behalf of all who worked for him and who won’t see this. The world has lost a gentleman.
He was the best boss I ever had.
Reg Walker adds: The funeral for Peter Macdonald was held at St. Faith’s crematorium on Tuesday 23 August, and the occasion was most decidedly Standing Room Only, confirming that, as we well knew, Peter was a very popular man. Popular among HMSO colleagues over the years – there were over 30 in attendance – and popular with friends around Norwich and Cromer, the various charities with whom Peter was involved, and of course relatives.
The service, conducted by Michael Ayden, funeral celebrant, hit just the right note, with many instances of Peter’s relaxed style. It was recalled that Peter’s reaction to Sovereign House, the massive glass edifice that had been built in the era of IRA bombings in England, showed typical administrative foresight! There were also instances of Peter’s thoughtfulness and humanity.
We entered the assembly room to ‘Feeling Good’ by Michael Buble, and left to My Way by Frank Sinatra. Which seemed to sum up the man exactly.
Those many of us who went back to The Black Swan Inn afterwards were given a fine buffet with excellent service, and an hour or so to recall the good times.
Farewell, and thanks for the memories Peter: it was great knowing you.
On 8 September 2022 Tim Macdonald – Peter’s son – telephoned to pass on his, and his family’s, appreciation to the 86 people who attended his father’s funeral last month, confirming that Peter was indeed a popular and well-respected friend and colleague.