Peter Milton Gardner

Peter Milton Gardner, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, with his family by his side. Born July 3, 1945, in Hudson, New York, Peter lived a life defined by devotion to family, enduring friendship, hard work, and service.

The son of Clarence and Gertrude Gardner, Peter grew up in Hudson, New York, where the Gardner family farm became a lifelong source of pride and belonging. After graduating from Hudson High School, he attended Syracuse University on a football scholarship and earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Geology.

Syracuse also gave Peter the love of his life. His teammate and Hall of Fame football player, Floyd Little, introduced him to Regina Oliveri during summer school after their freshman year. Peter and Regina married in 1968 and shared 56 devoted years together until her passing in 2024. He loved to joke that Regina had been “impossible to shake” for all those years, but everyone knew she was the center of his world. He carried her memory with him every day.

Peter built a distinguished career in the oil and gas industry, beginning with Chevron Oil in Jackson, Mississippi, and later serving in leadership roles with Allied Chemical, Transco, Hill Petroleum, and Valero in New Orleans and Houston. Known for his sharp mind, sound judgment, and ability to bring people together, he built marketing organizations, developed distribution systems, negotiated major contracts, and created new sales channels.

Peter later brought that same entrepreneurial spirit to franchising. He helped Regina grow Uniglobe Dynamic Travel into a $10 million business, and she was named “Owner of the Year” twice within Uniglobe’s global franchise system. He also helped pioneer Franchise Business Network chapters nationwide. Later in life, he worked with a longtime physician and family member and partners to develop ambulatory surgery centers in California and other parts of the country. They also helped launch and support numerous healthcare ventures, addiction-treatment programs, physician partnerships, and recovery-focused organizations. Peter approached every challenge with determination and a favorite piece of advice he often shared with friends and partners: "Never, ever, quit."

Service was woven throughout Peter’s life. As president of the New Orleans Jaycees, he advanced programs for underserved communities and young people and advocated for stronger disaster planning and attention to transportation, poverty, health, and environmental concerns. He later set fundraising records for United Way, served as YMCA chairman, led Explorer Scouts, and chaired a U.S. Swimming program that helped develop several Olympic medalists. Peter often called himself a “professional volunteer,” and he proudly supported organizations serving military members, veterans, and their families, including the USO, Folds of Honor, Tunnel to Towers, and Navy SEAL Foundations.

No matter how far his career took him, Peter’s heart remained tied to the Gardner family farm in New York. With his brother Stephen, he spent decades preserving the farmhouse and land for future generations. In recent years, he worked alongside Stephen, his daughter Victoria, and his son-in-law Kurt to renovate the farmhouse interior. His sheet rocking skills could rival that of a professional, and he approached every project with the same careful planning, determination, and love of family that guided his life.

Peter had a gift for storytelling. He delighted in sharing memories of Syracuse football, fraternity life, geological adventures, old teammates, family history, and the many people he encountered over the years. His stories were rarely meant to place himself at the center; instead, they honored people he admired and lessons he had learned. Those who knew him will remember his intelligence, generosity, strong convictions, steadfast loyalty, and ability to make others feel valued and welcome.

Peter is survived by his daughter, Victoria Gardner Krummel, and her husband, Kurt, of Houston, Texas, his brother, Stephen Gardner (Abbe) of Hudson, New York; his sisters, Ann Barnes of Rochester, New York, Priscilla Tice (Bill) of Livingston, New York, Marcia Baer (Karl) of Seattle, Washington, and his sister-in-law Antonea Oliveri Beckerman of New Milford, Connecticut; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews across the country. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Regina, whose absence he felt deeply.

Peter’s legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he sustained, the farm he preserved, the stories he shared, and the example of integrity, kindness, service, and gratitude he leaves behind. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Peter especially treasured the Sunday dinners he shared with Victoria and Kurt at their home. They reflected on what mattered most to Peter: family, connection, and time spent with the people he loved. For Victoria and Kurt, his place at their Sunday table will always remain his.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, aides, and staff who cared for Peter over the years, as well as the Methodist West Hospital staff who attended him in his final days. Their skill and compassion brought great comfort to Peter and his family.

Visitation will be held at Dignity Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery in Houston, TX on Saturday October 10, 2026, from 11:00am – 2:00 pm.

Funeral and Burial services will be held at Mt. Pleasant Reformed Church & Cemetery in Hudson, NY on Friday, October 23, at 11:00am, with a reception to follow at Savona’s Trattoria, 136 Warren Street, Hudson, NY.

If sending flowers, please send them to Bates & Anderson - Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home,110 Green Street, Hudson, NY 12534. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the aforementioned foundations that were near and dear to Peter’s heart.