Peter Jenness III

His parents, Margaret (Beyer) and Peter Jenness, Jr., welcomed their son into the world on May 27, 1938, in Cambridge, MA. Pete grew up in Cape Elizabeth, ME, and was a graduate of Westminster High School in Simsbury, CT, where he made lifelong friends, appreciated his instructors and coaches, and enjoyed hockey, football and baseball. When free time allowed, he had a passion for working on and building cars, as his grandfather, Peter Jenness, had taught him.

Pete enlisted in the Air Force serving as a jet engine mechanic from 1958 until 1962, stationed at Homestead AFB. Following his service obligations, and after marrying his lovely bride, Neil, he resided in Boston and attended Wentworth Institute, earning an associate degree in engineering (a goal of his ever since his first Erector Set).

Peter and Neil then moved to Keene, NH, where he began his career of over forty years as a design engineer with Markem Corporation in Keene, where he loved the creative process (always starting with an old-fashioned drawing board) and collaborating with others, many of whom became good friends.

A resident of Spofford for the past fifty-one years, Pete took great pride in working around his home, helping his neighbors, maintaining his yard and a perfectly designed vegetable garden, engineering fixes and custom woodwork for the house and even building a water wheel for the brook. He fashioned beautiful jewelry boxes and fun marble runs for Country Artisans, Neil’s old shop. And he counted as his greatest works, an altar railing and new manger for Asbury Church (although watching a child with one of his marble runs sure made him smile!).

His favorite pastime was playing the guitar, which he learned while in the Air Force from his best friend, Ron Banks. Pete enjoyed sharing his talent with many, playing in three bands including Indian Summer (with Jerry & Faith McCollough), The Esquires (with Dick Beal, the late Bernie Miller), and Spofford Stage (with Dick Beal, Mike Potter) throughout the area in the 60s and 70s. Until a few years ago, he played with his daughter, Stephanie, a flutist, and with Ron – for their own reminiscence and pleasure. He learned the steel guitar at age 70, with Ron guiding him once again.

Pete’s greatest love was being with family and good friends, sharing with them his big heart and great humor and always taking great interest and pride in all that they enjoyed and accomplished. He played many a game of pool with his pals and he had been rooting for the Red Sox ever since he and Neil walked over to Fenway from their first apartment in Boston, a love he shared with his daughter, Cathy, as well.

He will be greatly missed by many, especially his wife of 61 years, Cornelia "Neil" (Proctor) Jenness of Spofford; his two daughters, Catherine "Cathy" E. Jenness of Spofford, Stephanie M. J. Wahlberg and her husband, Joshua, of Wareham, MA; a sister, Helen Connell, of Somersworth, NH; a sister-in-law, Diane Proctor Campbell, of Tacoma, WA; his nieces, Heather Meyer and her husband, Jeff, of Los Gatos, CA, and Jennifer Campbell, of Germany; and his great-nephews, Levi and Jacob Campbell. A brother-in-law, Hiram Connell, predeceased him.

A celebration of Peter’s life will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 18th at 10:30am in the Asbury Methodist Church, 532 NH Route 63, Chesterfield, NH. Burial with military honors will follow the service in the Spofford Village Cemetery, 16 High Street, Spofford, NH.

Pete’s family is very grateful to all of the staff and supportive residents at the Alpine Healthcare for the skilled and loving care they gave him (and them), from working to get him home after each rehab stay during the last two years to welcoming him back “home” to them during his final weeks. Neil, Cathy and Stephanie pray for God’s blessings to be upon Alpine always.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Jenness’ memory to the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460.