The skies were blue and the sun was shining down on St, Thomas Anglican Church in Belleville where a multitude of friends & family members gathered to pay their last respects to a dear friend, Pete Thompson. I, first met Pete when I started fishing the Chevy-Mercury Pro Bass Tour many, many moons ago. Pete was serving as the tournament director at that time. He also ran the Quinte Fishing Series out of his hometown, Belleville, he grew the series into one of the best tournament series in Canada.

When I think of Pete, the words that come to mind for me are integrity and fairness. With all due respect to all others, Although Pete's life was multifaceted, I knew Pete from fishing tournament and as such I can only comment on that aspect of his life. He was also greatly involved in his local community, school board and sang in an acapella group.

Pete was the best tournament director that I had ever had the chance to fish under. His rulings were always and fair and well thought out. He could actually explain to you how he reached a decision and by the time he was finished, even if you didn't agree with his decision you at least understood and respected his ruling. He was the mainstay behind the Quinte Fishing Series and I truly hope that someone will carry on Pete's work.

Pete is survived by his wife Margo (also a dear friend) and sons, Graeme, Joshua & Joel. The fishing community and the world are both a little poorer now that our friend Pete has gone on to those happy fishing grounds in the skies! His memory will live on and hopefully we can come up with some way to honour him properly.

Pete, I hope that where you're fishing now that the winds are always light from the west and that the fish always bite better than those Simcoe Smallies! RIP