Peter Carver is being remembered for his community-minded, personable nature. Photos: Supplied.
What began as a job at Safeway created a legacy of pride, family and community for the late Peter Carver.
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Peter Russell Carver was born on October 18, 1950 to Frank and Val Carver, growing up with his younger sister, Louise, in McCrae on the Mornington Peninsula.
Originally training in the police force, Peter moved away from this role to help his parents’ family business, his hometown’s supermarket.
The supermarket business stuck, with Peter employed by Safeway in the early 70s, the beginning of a 39-year-long career.
Around the same time, Peter married Jenny in Brighton. The couple was married for 51 years, welcoming children Leigh, Glen and Sally.
A slideshow from his 74 years of life was played at Peter’s funeral.
The Carver family moved to the region in 1987, with Peter accepting a job as store manager at the new Echuca Safeway.
It was in this role that Peter earned the coveted Store Manager of the Year award, winning him a trip to the United States.
He also won a trip to New Zealand through his work.
A true people person, he could connect with anyone, presenting himself as himself, not as anything else.
These skills translated in his store manager job, as well as his various volunteering roles.
Peter was involved with the 1st Rosebud Sea Scouts, recognised on the Queen’s Scout honour roll in 1966.
He spent time in the Apex Club, helping at the Southern 80 and putting his hand up to help at community events.
In 1991, Peter fulfilled a lifelong dream, purchasing a farm at Nanneella to continue to raise his family.
Jenny and Peter Carver travelled extensively together after retirement, especially on cruises.
After retirement in 2012, he embraced being a farmer, and enjoyed caravanning and travelling with Jenny.
The pair spent time in Canada, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii and covered many kilometres across outback Australia.
The impact of Peter’s position at Safeway/Woolworths created a legacy in the Carver family.
Jenny also worked at the supermarket until her retirement, and all three Carver children have walked in Peter’s footsteps.
Leigh has been with the company for more than 30 years and is the grocery manager in Echuca, Glen has also worked at Woolworths for 30 years, and Sally, now Kyabram Woolworths store manager, is not far behind at 27 years.
A collection of the memories shared during the service.
Many shoppers know the Carver family from Peter’s long career, continuing to ask after him more than a decade after his retirement.
His time away from work was often spent in one of his favourite roles, as grandfather to James, Gracie, Nancy, Tex and Ace, and great-grandfather to Mia, Ayla and Eddie.
Peter Carver’s life was celebrated with friends and family on December 28, 2024 at Nanneella Memorial Hall, following his passing on December 16.
Unique to what he loved, a slideshow of images was accompanied by TheMan From Snowy River, a snippet of ABC Country Hour, cattle sales, the Hogan’s Heroes theme song and the Woolworths jingle.
Peter Carver, or Gutsy, is survived by his wife, Jenny, children Leigh, Glen and Sally, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Information provided by Jenny and Sally Carver, as well as from funeral celebrant Tracie Kyne’s service.
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