Dr Charles Peter Stockdill, 1941–2026

We are saddened to announce the passing of Dr Charles Peter Stockdill on 27 January 2026, 1 day before his 85th birthday. He was predeceased by his wife, Deanna, by 8 days.

Peter was born in Victoria to Joyce and Dexter Stockdill, both architects. He attended St. Christopher’s Elementary School, followed by Glenlyon Preparatory School and Oak Bay High School. He started his postsecondary education at Victoria College, finishing with a BSc in chemistry and mathematics. Influenced by the lengthy illness and subsequent loss of his mother, he chose a career in medicine, obtaining his medical degree from the University of British Columbia in 1966. After graduation, he completed a rotating internship at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria.

Peter began his professional career in Prince Rupert, where he worked as a general practitioner with general anesthesia privileges at the local hospital, in partnership with Dr Bill Hick. While practising in Prince Rupert, he was the representative for District 9, Skeena, to the Board of Directors of the then-BCMA. After working for 5 years in this capacity, Peter returned to Vancouver with his young family—his wife, Shirley; son, Stephen; and daughter, Susanne—to join the residency program in ophthalmology at UBC.

Upon obtaining his FRCSC in ophthalmology, Peter set up his specialty practice in Langley. He worked there for the next 25 years. In this setting, he once again became active with the BCMA, and he was the first president of the Society of Specialists.

While in Langley, he became a charter member of the Rotary Club of Langley and was designated a Paul Harris Fellow. It was there, too, that the marriage to his first wife unfortunately ended. But Peter bravely moved on.

Peter later married Deanna Newnham (Espinola, Ontario), who worked in the ophthalmology supply business. They were a grand couple. With the assistance of Deanna’s nursing skills (she was a Hamilton General Hospital nursing graduate), Peter volunteered his surgical skills in Tonga, Ecuador, and India. When not in the operating room, Peter was either sailing with Deanna aboard the Penta Star or Gypsy Wind along BC’s West Coast or seeking refuge at their second home on Maui. Peter was devoted to Deanna throughout their lives together, as well as to his children.

Peter spent the final years of his working life on Vancouver Island in Qualicum, Parksville, and Port Alberni. Upon retiring, he continued his love of the ocean, with Deanna, by sailing up and down the coast. As a consequence—he always stood by his convictions—he became a member-at-large with the Council of BC Yacht Clubs, where he focused his attention on maintaining access to waterways, anchorages, and foreshore rights for all British Columbians.

After Deanna became incapacitated with dementia, Peter became active with the Parksville Probus Club. He made many new friends in the organization, including Lajla Stevenson, who was with Peter when he passed. Peter loved personal contacts in life, but he was also a man of principle and not one to suffer fools. In this context, I am reminded of and paraphrase what former senator Ted Kennedy said of his brother, Robert: “Some men see things as they are and ask why; my brother saw things as they might be and asked why not.”

Peter will be missed by all who were close to him—his family, friends, and colleagues. He is survived by his children, Stephen Stockdill and Susanne Stockdill; grandchildren, Liam, Natasha, Michael, and Samantha; brothers, Thomas Stockdill (Patricia) and Dr James Stockdill (Debra); and stepchildren, Jeff Newnham, Mark Newnham, and Tracy Powell.
—James Stockdill, MD
Victoria