Peter John Warburton

Peter John Warburton of Ann Arbor passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2018. Pete was born in Evanston, Illinois to William (“Bud”) and Lois (Brunkhorst) Warburton. He attended Western Michigan University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in History and then DePaul University where he earned a Master’s in Education, launching a lifelong career in educational counseling.

After working a number of years in Illinois, Pete joined the Chelsea School District as a guidance counselor. For over thirty years, with his trademark sense of humor and compassion, Pete shepherded the students of Beach Middle School through the challenges of growing up.

Pete loved his adopted “hometown” of Ann Arbor, was an avid patron of The Ark, and ringleader for decades of family tailgates at UM football games. His wife and extended family were the most important things in Pete’s life.

Renowned as an artist in the unusual medium of duct tape art, his works were shown and earned awards at venues such as Art Prize, the Scarab Club, the University of North Carolina, and the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition. Generous with his art, Pete sent his works worldwide with pieces residing in permanent collections at venues such as the Vatican Museum, the International Musee d'Art Niaf in Nice, the Smithsonian Postal Museum, and the Holocaust Museum.

Pete is survived by his wife of 47 years, Diane (Gosselin) Warburton and sister Lois (Tom) Tortorello of Shorewood, Illinois as well as Diane’s eight siblings and a host of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews who treasured their “Crazy Uncle Pete.”

A public visitation will be held at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S Fourth Street, Ann Arbor, on Friday, April 20th from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be private. Friends and family are encouraged to share a memory of Pete on the Muehlig website. Those wishing to make a donation in Pete’s honor can contribute to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at: victors.us/peterwarburton