Peter G Dahl

Peter Graf Dahl, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on April 22, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Cindy); sons, Darren and Kevin; their wives, Stephanie and Korene; and grandchildren Abby, Brendan, Aiden, and Logan. Peter also leaves behind his sister, Judi, her husband Kenneth, their daughters, and their families. He is also survived by Cindy’s brother, Keith, his wife, Linda, their children, and their families.

Peter’s laugh and wisdom will be deeply missed by the many friends and loved ones in Connecticut and Florida, who he leaves behind.

Peter was always happiest when he was near the water. He developed his love of boating and fishing at a young age, often heading out into the waters of the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound with his grandfather. Later, Peter and the family would spend weekends motoring and water skiing behind his 17.5-foot wooden boat, built by the White Canoe Company. In 2000, Peter upgraded to a 21-foot fiberglass Pursuit outboard, which the family dubbed “The Dahlfin.”

Peter’s love for tennis evolved thanks to Cindy, whom he married in 1967. Cindy inspired him to build a court for the family in the yard of their home on Prayer Spring Road in Stratford. Peter and his family lived in that same home until he and Cindy moved full-time to Boca Raton, Florida, in 2019.

Peter was renowned for his work ethic throughout his life. Even as a teenager, he ran his own business cutting lawns, painting homes, and tackling other chores for neighbors. He also stocked shelves and managed the cash register at the store his parents, Nathan and Helen Dahl, operated for several years in downtown Stratford. While attending the University of Bridgeport, where he studied business, Peter earned money on the side with projects like cleaning the branch offices for Citytrust Bank. There, he caught the attention of an executive who offered him the chance to enter the bank’s management training program. That’s where he eventually met Cindy, who was working at the bank for the summer.

Peter steadily rose through the bank ranks, eventually earning the title Senior Executive Vice President, where he managed multiple locations. Later, he worked at Chase Manhattan Bank, which acquired Citytrust, before retiring in 1998. Peter also served in the National Guard Reserve.

As a banker, Peter loved working with his customers, especially small business owners, and enjoyed visiting their locations to learn the ins and outs of different industries. He also relished the challenge of building teams to overcome unique challenges. He earned a reputation as a compassionate and trusted boss with a fun side. One of the highlights of many summers was the tennis tournament he hosted at his and Cindy’s home for his colleagues and employees, where the winning team would have their names engraved on a plaque.

As members of the Fairfield Beach Club for 40 years, Peter and Cindy competed in many tennis tournaments, winning several as a mixed doubles team. This earned them a spot on plaques at the club alongside Cindy’s father, Louis Baudis.

Peter and Cindy first moved into the home of Cindy’s parents, Louis and Elizabeth (Betsy), in the Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club Community in 2010. After joining the country club there in 2014, Peter and Cindy became avid bocce and croquet players, where they yet again saw their names etched on plaques as a winning team. Peter also became a staunch advocate of preserving the long tradition of croquet at Royal Palm as the chair of the club’s Bocce and Croquet Committee.

Peter and Cindy, married for nearly 58 years, were also a dynamic duo off the court. They particularly enjoyed hosting friends and neighbors at their home. Starting in 1970, spending Christmas Eve at the Dahls became a decades-long tradition. The family’s loved ones also gathered annually for Father’s Day cookouts. In Florida, Peter and Cindy enjoyed inviting friends over for dinner and playing a dice game called Farkle.

Peter and Cindy enjoyed spending time together walking Florida's beaches, collecting shells, shopping at craft shows, caring for their orchids, and attending social events at the club with their friends. Peter maintained his childhood love of trucks and trains, building a small collection of them. He also enjoyed collecting duck decoys and stamps. He also had a passion for eating fresh oysters.

Peter and Cindy also enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, embarking on several epic family trips to national parks in the West, an Alaskan cruise, a journey along the Danube River, and a visit to the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

The family will hold a celebration of life in the future. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Sweet Dream Makers in Boca Raton, FL, a non-profit with a mission to give children their bed; Trustbridge Hospice Care; or plant a tree in Peter’s honor through One Tree Planted.