Lit a candle in memory of Arthur "Pete" Gaynor

My father Silas Thimmes was friends with "Pete" my father passed away last year on July 4th.  I have many memories of the Windward, we as a family celebrated everyone's birthday there. I had been going there since before i can remember.  The Windward is by far my favorite restaurant in Columbus!!! I would go back to the Kitchen and say hi Pete where he was always working, he was very friendly and nice man.  He will be greatly missed.

Jay Thimmes

My heart aches at your passing,  Pete. You were the best and most generous friend and boss I ever knew.
Great memories of the Windward,  houseboat trip,  Kings Island in your great car, and so many more.
I know Hammy,  Steve,  DT,  Hank and Klink were waiting for you and a challenging game of Jeopardy. 
My heart goes out to Karen,  Jennifer,  Amanda,  BJ,  Walt,  Mary and the rest of the Windward family.
Nancy Schild Spiert

Karen you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Pete was such a kind man, with a  beautiful soul. Pete you were an amazing boss and a truly wonderful friend. We loved working for you and with you. We love you Pete. 
   Rob and Lorie Trott.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Karen and family. Pete was a great boss, a great wit, there's just too much I could say. He's given me a lot of great memories and a lot to be thankful for. The world won't be the same without him.

Sean & Mary O'Brien

Karen and Pete's family,  I am so sorry for your loss.  My deepest condolences and prayers.  As you know, I loved Pete.  He was a pillar in my life.  He was a mentor.  He was a friend.  He had the sharpest (and quickest) wit.  He had the strongest work ethic.  He had the most friends who would do anything for him.  He would do anything for any of us.  He was incredibly generous.  He will and is sorely missed.  I will keep the memories alive as there are many of them.  Much Love.  Keith Dailey and family.

To Sue, Mary ,and all family , I want to express how sorry I am for your loss.

Sue Griffith Duvall

Dear Karen,

We worked together at OSU Hospitals. I think I only met Pete once and he was very kind to me. I hope you and your daughters often think of happy times with him. I am sorry for your loss and wish you peace. Chris Mahler

I remember Pete through this beautiful video of his life, his car, the Windward Passage, your wedding, the kids growing up. Loved the tree of life.

My dad, thom till was friends with Pete when me and my siblings with little. I’ll always remember going to windward with the family and eating the little chocolate mints at the counter. My dad passed in 05’, and windward has continued to be the place we go to remember him with family dinners! We’ll miss ya Pete!

The Kimball family morn the loss of Pete and we all hope he is with Jeff (Hank)rehashing golf stories and Monday night football..we love you Pete..and pray for your family.

Sally Kimball

Pete had been a friend for over 40 years.  A winner of the Windward Passage Golf Outing is a memory I will never forget.  It was our favorite place to eat. Will miss him terribly. Barbara and Captain Bob Kidwell

Pete say hello to tink. What a great person and friend :heart: Bill Smiley.

So saddened by the passing of Pete. So kind, so generous, so loved. Will never forget all the wonderful memories at Windward. As an employee and years as a guest. Will miss you Pete   You were and always  will be so loved.   Karen Armstrong

I struggle to find words to express my sorrow at Pete's passing. May we find comfort in our memories.

Much love,
Fran

We're thinking of you Karen and family in this sad time and wishing you all that it takes to get through these difficult times.  Pete was always smiling every time we saw him. I remember him telling his personal  "Night Before Christmas" story.  He could always make us laugh so hard.  Tammy and Kurt Kaufman

Pete was one of the first people I sold to when I started selling restaurant supplies. He was a genuine and kind person, who always seemed to be in a good mood. I used to look forward to going in to see him. My family and I often went to Windward Passage on Friday nights for his perch dinners. He will surely be missed. 
Dan DeNoble

So Sad!
Pete was a very Good Guy and a hard worker. Our memories go back to the days of the Crroquet Club and Pete would offer the Windward as a meeting place for our business meetings.
Pete will be missed by many particularly his staff and all for his customers. We were loyal customers when in Columbus and our first night dinner when we arrived straight from the airport. Pete was always working so Jim would go out to the kitchen to greet him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen and family.
Jim and Kris Jentgen and family

Pete is my neighbor across the street. We talked often and what I appreciated most is how kind he was to my 2 kids. They loved Pete...my 3 year old would yell his name across the street and wave to him and he would come all the way over (often struggling to walk) to my house just to talk to them and ask them questions. His face would light up and he would beam as he goofed around with them, you could tell that he loved it, and they did too. He showed my son his classic car and we would watch him drive out of the driveway in it. Pete was so kind to all of his neighbors...he wouldn't want me to list the things he did, but I witnessed many acts of kindness on his part. He was eager to help when he was made aware of a need. Our whole family will really miss Pete and I just wanted to share our appreciation and thankfulness for Pete with his family.

Pete there are many people you meet in a lifetime that are remembered. Some as friends. Some as close friends and some that turn into family. You had most in your life that turned into family and that speaks highly of your life.  Janet and I were merely friends but with great memories. We cannot express how much we reminisce on how you always had a warm welcome and smile when Bill would crash into your kitchen to say Hi. You meant a lot to a lot more more people than you know. We will all miss your smile. 

Bill  &  Janet

I first met Pete when he was bartending at Denny's on E. Rt. 161 in the '70s...followed him to the Windward as bartender in the  early '80s before  he bought the restaurant in the mid '80s.  He was one of the finest  people I ever knew...great sense of humor and almost generous to a fault.  I hope the Windward continues to operate the way Pete ran it for a long time...but for me it will never be the same...Randy Ketcham.

OBITUARY

Arthur "Pete" Gaynor

20 May, 1954 – 4 April, 2020

Schoedinger Midtown

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