Peter Dennis Dawson passed away peacefully in his sleep at his beautiful home in Lighthouse Point Florida after an aggressive battle with mesothelioma on May 17th at 73 years old. He was born on February 10, 1947 at Winchester Hospital and grew up in Stoneham Massachusetts. He was born to the late Virginia Carter Dawson of Winthrop and Charles W. Dawson of Stoneham.
Peter graduated Stoneham high school class of 1965. He attended UMASS Amherst for his bachelors degree in education while making a mark in the UMASS athletics community as competitive hockey player graduating in 1969. Peter D continued his education to get his Masters Degree at Boston College. He was an active member in UMASS alumni affairs and events for many years as a loved and respected donor and participant.
Using his education in the Lynn school system as a P.E. Instructor Peter mentored youth early in his career while lobstering in Nahant to fill his summers.
Peter’s charisma, humor and quick wit is part of his legend. These attributes made him extraordinarily successful. As a young entrepreneur he and his business partner developed their restaurant and golf complex in Nahant.
“Sea Gaels” of Nahant” was one of the most popular and successful venues and attractions on Boston’s North Shore for many years. The duo moved their efforts to more exclusive private events, at the Nahant Country Club where Peter remained from 1987 until his death, creating memories for many families and friends of the North Shore. Peter was a respected businessman brilliant in his business skills but had a gifted way of connecting with people.
Anyone that knew Peter D knew he was famous for a few things. His unwavering generosity (he loved ‘sprinkling the infield), his love for the game of golf (as an accomplished and proud championship low handicap golfer), his dedication to youth sports from the little league level to the collegiate level, his many nicknames amongst his legions of friends like “The Dalai Lama” a tribute to his kindness and generosity, “Big D” and “Coach Dawson” just to name a few. Peter was dad and papa to more than just is own.
His time and commitment in his later years to the hundreds of athletes of Lynn youth baseball proved to have a lasting impact on many of the children now becoming men that will carry his wisdom and values that he always made equally important as the game. He was more than a baseball coach but sure was proud of his team’s accomplishments which included coaching several championship teams from the Little League to Babe Ruth Level. Each year his teams all made the regional playoffs and did well. He was respected by the kids, the parents and the coaches alike. He prided himself on lending his knowledge and love for the game but provided rides, hot meals, a listening ear and any gear any athlete needed. Several of his players went on to highly successful high school and college baseball careers.
He was part of the UMASS Athletics administration advocating for many youth athletes and aiding in their college goals. He was a member of Indian Ridge Golf & Country Club, Salem Country Club and Boca Teeca Golf Club.
Peter was amongst elite but buddies with everyone. Chasing down the trash men to offer a cold water or preparing a sandwich for the daily arrival of the mailman around lunchtime.
Peter D was a man’s man reveling in his times with his buddies, intramural basketball, hockey, sports clubs, trips to the Cape, bachelor weekends, softball, ski lodges, he sure knew how to have a good time but he also knew the power of love and family.
He was the beloved husband of Beverley Anne Livingston of Toronto Canada. He is survived by his children Colleen Alicia Caro of Swampscott, Yasmene Natalie Driscoll and her husband Jospeh Driscoll of Lynn and Elan Davidesco of Ontario Canada. His grandchildren, Joshua Dawson-Mateo, Isaiah Caro and Wynter Chiappini of Swampscott, Jaiden, Riley and Lila Driscoll of Lynn.
He is survived by his siblings. Charles Dawson of Lake Worth Florida, Danny Dawson of Fort Lauderdale Florida, Michael Dawson and his wife Jill of Lake Worth Florida, Patricia Borsdorf and her husband Rick of Albany Georgia and Nancy Langlands and her husband Guy of New Zealand as well as many nieces and nephews.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5