Peter Joseph Quigley

Born in the Bronx on February 24,1945, Peter was the son of Joseph James and Jane Marie (Duffy) Quigley. He was graduated from Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, NY and Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

Following two years with VISTA, he traveled extensively on his wits and a shoestring to much of the world. Upon his return to the U.S., he settled in the Boston area for several years, managing the Harvard Square “Bowl and Board.” He subsequently moved to Martha’s Vineyard to open a branch store in Vineyard Haven as well as his own store, “Union Street.” In addition, he built & sold two houses & developed a landscaping career.

After twenty-five years, he spent an interlude in Amherst, MA, and then Saratoga Springs, NY where he built and sold a house near his sister Loretta and brother-in-law Walt.

His move to Cape Cod proved most permanent. He lived in Wellfleet, Eastham and finally Orleans, MA.

There Peter resumed his work as a landscaper with his friend Roy Crudko, gradually transitioning to less onerous endeavors, chiefly walking, biking, reading and gardening.

He loved oceans from childhood vacations at the Jersey shore to beaches in New Zealand to Coast Guard Beach in Wellfleet, MA. The Lower Cape beaches, kettle ponds, coves, marshes & marine life (particularly whales) were endlessly interesting & beautiful to him.

Deeply knowledgeable and thoughtful and an omnivorous reader, Peter was self-effacing, often concluding an astute thought with, “But what do I know?“ He was not one, however, “to suffer fools lightly.”

Peter’s genuine interest in others drew out the best in them. As a brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend, he gave of himself unstintingly. His conversation, his counsel, his laugh, his good opinion were sought, enjoyed and remembered.

His knowledge of his team the Celtics, a passion shared with Roy, was encyclopedic. He & Roy cheered & moaned over every game, but remained unalterably loyal.

The rapport with the natural world that he shared with his college friend Alvin Begun was his hallmark.

His tastes in music and art, movies and books were eclectic. He was guided by an innate aesthetic that was well-honed by his education, his travels and his reading.

Peter was predeceased by his parents, his brother John Michael Quigley, his brother-in-law Walter C. A’Hearn and his much cherished Martha Mains.

He is survived by his sister Loretta Quigley of Saratoga Springs, NY. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Mary Curran, niece Jane Claire Quigley, nephew Sam Quigley, his wife Kei Hoshino and their children Eamonn, Hanae and Fiadh Quigley, all of Manhattan, NY. In addition are niece Johanna Quigley and nephew Benjamin Quigley, both of Stockholm, Sweden.

Among those who will deeply miss Peter are Martha’s daughter Camilla Zimmerman of Manchester, MA, and Martha’s sister Catie Mains of Gloucester, MA.

In the last few years of his life, Peter became close to Gail Rice, her husband Rick Runyon, her daughter Parker Rice and their extended family in Orleans. They bonded over dinners, garden projects, whale watches & Nauset Beach.

Gail tirelessly oversaw Peter’s care the last eight months of his life, filling them with flowering plants, strong coffee, conversation and continuous support. She was Peter’s gatekeeper, ombudsman and cheerleader.

Peter remained close with his late brother’s family in Manhattan through regular phone calls and visits either on the Cape or in Saratoga Springs. They loved and respected his intellect and his individuality.

Peter’s sister Loretta is utterly grateful to have had him as her loving and wise older brother.

The staff of Cape Cod Acute Care in Brewster, MA and Continuum Hospice and Palliative Care in Hyannis, MA is deserving of the highest praise. The nurses, aides and administrators eased his final journey with skill and compassion. They will remember Peter for his genuine interest in their stories and his sincerely thanking them always. In particular, Peter loved visits from a canine staff member, the puppy Frankie.

There will be a private gathering in his honor (TBD) and donations may be made to Snow Library, 67 Main St., Orleans, MA 02653 and Doctors Without Borders.