Over a year after being diagnosed with brain cancer, well-known Peterborough artist Peer Christensen has died at the age of 72. He passed away peacefully on Monday (May 25) at Hospice Peterborough surrounded by family and friends.
In early 2025, he was diagnosed with type four glioblastoma — the same highly aggressive and malignant brain tumour that took the life of The Tragically Hip’s frontman Gord Downie in 2017 — and underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Queen’s Brain Tumor Program at Kingston General Hospital.
Last February, a GoFundMe was launched to raise funds for Peer and his wife Lori to help cover their travel and accommodation costs while he underwent treatment in Kingston. The GoFundMe raised $29,140, well over its $10,000 goal.
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1953, Peer moved to Canada in 1959 as a child and lived in Peterborough since 1985.
For more than 35 years, he maintained an active studio practice working in the medium of oil paint, with his work exhibited at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, John B. Aird Gallery, McMichael Canadian Collection, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, and many others.
He was also involved in the gallery and picture framing business for over 40 years, establishing his first Peterborough business in 1985 with two subsequent locations.
Peer is survived by his wife Lori, four children, and six grandchildren.
“He will be remembered as a patron of the arts, and through the legacy of his paintings,” reads his obituary. “To his last moments he was filled with gratitude for being able to live such a full life, touched by so many amazing people. He is now in the loving arms of the Lord, always to remain in our hearts.”
A memorial service for Peer will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 21 at Emmanuel United Church in Peterborough. To honour his legacy, Peer’s family is requesting that donations be made to Hospice Peterborough or the Art Gallery of Peterborough.
