Condolences
Peter and I met in the early 80s in Chicago. I'll never forget the first time I saw him with a group of his companions in a bar on Oak Street. Our eyes met. It was a once in a lifetime moment. I looked away and the next thing I knew, Peter was standing next to me and introducing himself. He was living in a small apartment on Division Street and working in a law firm in the Loop. Peter and I became friends and would often meet for lunch or after work for drinks in a little bistro, where we would down Campari and soda while smoking unfiltered Gitanes. To this day, Campari and soda remains one of my favorite drinks and always reminds me of him.
Peter was ten years older, off-the-chain handsome, tall, with a full head of dark hair and unbridled energy. He was smart, witty, and could be sarcastic. But he was always kind. He had a fantastic sense of humor and a great laugh. We talked about Grace Jones, Perry Ellis, fashion, music, architecture, Interview Magazine. I felt humbled, honored when the conversation deepened, as it always did, and he revealed his deepest secrets, his dreams.
Peter pursued me relentlessly, but my heart belonged to another. That didn't seem to deter him and one afternoon, he placed a gold ring on my finger. It was at that moment that I knew I had to find a way to not break his beautiful heart. Not long after, I moved to Baltimore to start a new job, a new life. About six months passed and I was having lunch with a colleague in a restaurant in Harborplace. Out of nowhere, Peter appeared. We spoke briefly. That was the last time I saw or heard from him. But I've never forgotten Peter, and I wear the gold ring in memory of him. I always will.
It brings me great sadness to learn of Peter’s death. I remember sharing lunches with him at Midland School, especially the oranges that he brought from home that were cut in a way I thought appealing. I was new in Rye at an age where children were not very nice to one another. Peter had the courage to befriend me. He was always caring and kind. I was sad when he left Rye High School to attend a private prep school and always wondered what had happened to him. My condolences to his family. I will always have warm memories of Peter.
I'm very, very sorry to learn of Peter's death. I have wonderful memories of growing up with him in Rye, visiting him at Trinity Pawling and going to Westerly with his family. An elegant man, a warm and funny friend and the finest dancer I knew. My sympathies to his family. Janice Brophy Billingsley, New York, NY
Peter and I were best friends in Rye and we shared many boyhood adventures, Peter had a delightful creative streak and was always putting on plays and setting out on adventures in the area around our home which was full of woods, swamps and shortcuts into Playland, an amusement park that was adjacent to our neighborhood. We rode bicycles all around Rye which was a wonderful little town at the time. At that time I don't think that his parents were able to understand him, nor did he himself for a long while. When I met him at his wedding many years later he still seemed somewhat ill at ease and actually I was relieved when I heard that he had the courage to finally proclaim what he felt inside.
Even thought he had flights of fancy when he was young, he also had a strong sense of obligation. I somehow feel that he fulfilled his life in honoring the ways of the world as well as ultimately expressing his true self. I'm sorry to have missed connecting with him in his last few years and I wish his family and friends the best.
Donald B. Barrett
What sad news!!
I was Peter's roommate at Boston University during our sophomore year which was my last there. I always accused him of being a very large contributing factor. He had a healthy sense of harmless mischief and a robust sense of humor. I will always cherish my numerous memories of him in Boston, Rhode Island and that wonderful first wedding in which I participated.
My sympathy to George, Kate, Liz and Richard, Ted Kratovil, Arlington, Virginia
Peter had the most wonderful laugh - full bodied and infectious! I will always remember that laugh. I remember Peter always being so proper and correct - so old world and elegant. They don't make them like Peter any more. He will be sorely missed....
with love,
Marilyn
