Terani Erasito Peters, 86, of Fort McMurray, Alberta, passed away peacefully on September 8th, 2025, in the Northern Lights Regional Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Terani was born on December 1st, 1938, in the village of Noa’tau on the island of Rotuma. He is predeceased by his mother Fatiaki Panapasa, father Visanti Peters and siblings Lusia, Maria, Kikorio, and Rocky.

As a baby Terani and his mother moved to Vatukoula, Fiji where he grew up. In his youth Terani enjoyed playing rugby, hockey, and loved listening to music (especially Elvis). He attended primary school at Marist Convent in Vatukoula and Saint Xavier College in Ba. He worked as an electrician at the Emperor Gold Mining company in Vatukoula, the Electrical department for the Suva City Council, and the Power Station in Kinoya.

Terani grew up with his future wife Maria, but it wasn’t until their 20’s that the short courtship began. After only 4 dates Terani asked Maria’s mother and brother for her hand in marriage. The two were wed at the age of 26 on February 27th, 1965, in Vatukoula and then welcomed their first 2 children. They moved to Suva where their family grew by 4 more children.

At the age of 39, Terani made a brave and courageous move to Canada in search of a better life for his family. He had a job opportunity waiting for him in Pine Point, NWT but stopped first to visit his brother Rocky in Fort McMurray. It was here that his life changed. They grew their family with 2 more children and he began his career at Syncrude. At Syncrude he worked on the dragline and bucketwheel and would tell stories of having to climb out on the booms in the freezing cold to fix an electrical issue. When he retired, they gave him 2 large, framed pictures of these machines that he proudly displayed in his home. During his retirement he taught himself how to play piano, was an avid golfer, loved to the watch Blue Jays baseball, enjoyed playing scrabble, and cards with his family, cooking his famous Fried Rice and Vermicelli and became a baker who made 5 weddings cakes for his children and grandchildren. Although retired, he was the best electrician around and was called on by his children frequently.

Terani was hardworking, honorable, and a humble man. Even though he was a man of few words, when he spoke, you listened. Terani and Maria raised their family with a strong religious faith and pride in their Polynesian culture. He will be dearly missed but we take comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his sweetheart.

He is survived by his 8 children, Vince (Luz), Michelle (Paul), Ernie (Carmen), Naome (Brian), Rudolph (Ivona), Elazar, Philip (Claudette), and Seforsa (Ryan); 13 grandchildren, Brandan (Emma), Chalsey (Eric), Melanie (Mike), Melissa, Tyra, Robert, Terani O, Emilia, Terani P, Visinia O, Benjamin, Mara’ana, and Leila; 2 great-grandchildren, Visinia S and Kailani; siblings, Varea, Faga, and Moses.

In adulthood Terani had connected with siblings from his biological father. There were 9 siblings, and he was able to meet Sammy and Wilbur. Terani was the oldest of 18 children.

Terani is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Maria Kuafogo Peters.

A wake will be held at the Robert Anderson Funeral Home at #115, 190 MacAlpine Crescent, Fort McMurray AB, T9H 4A6, on Friday, September 19th from 7pm to 9pm.

A funeral service will be held in Fort McMurray on Saturday, September 20th, 2025, at 1pm at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church on 480 Signal Rd, Fort McMurray, AB in Thickwood. His burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Wood Buffalo on 5068 Real Martin Dr, Fort McMurray, AB with a reception to follow at the hall at St Paul’s Church.