Peter Galloway Huidekoper

Peter Galloway Huidekoper, 88, passed away Friday, May 1, at his home in Nonquitt, Massachusetts comforted by his loving children and caregivers. Peter was born in Washington D.C. to Reginald and Bessie Huidekoper on September 22, 1926. He adored his parents. His wife of 66 years, Mary (Mimi) Beckman Huidekoper, whom he cherished, passed away last May. Peter and Mimi raised their 5 children in New Canaan, Connecticut before moving back, 20 years ago, to where they first met, Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Peter spent every summer of his life and his last 20 years living on and loving Buzzards Bay.

Peter graduated from Middlesex School. However, before graduating, he joined the American Field Service and served in India. Later, he attended New York University. He started his career with Austin Hastings in Boston and then he worked for Wellington Sears and was transferred to New York. In 1961, becoming the president of Weed and Duryea, a lumber and hardware company in New Canaan. He nurtured that company for over 35 years before retiring.

Peter was an avid and beautiful athlete – a great tennis, football and baseball player and weekend sailor. He was also an optimistic fisherman and a curious golfer, known for fast play and found balls! His love of sports led him to years of coaching pee-wee football and Little League baseball (the Stags). He devoted his time to teaching Sunday School at the First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan. He also volunteered for the Visiting Nurse Association and the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust.

Peter, who called himself Sweet Pete, loved the outdoors, his dogs and his birds, especially the blue ones. In his final years, despite poor eye sight and health, he found joy and solace in his family, his caregivers and his dogs. And he loved humor…particularly his own!

Survivors include his children, Lucy Edson and her husband Burnham of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Peter of Parker, Colorado; Elizabeth (Beppie) of Providence, Rhode Island; Henry and his wife Collette of Ridgefield, Connecticut; and Annie and her partner Joanne Swanson of St. Paul Minnesota; five grandchildren, Emily Bojovic, Katharine and Will Edson, and Henry and Christie Huidekoper; four great grandchildren; his sister, Elizabeth (Bettie) Clark; his brother-in-law, Charles Beckman; his sister-in-law, Sheila Huidekoper; and many nieces and nephews. He cared deeply about each and every one.

A small memorial service will be held at St Aidan's Chapel in Dartmouth, MA later this summer.

The family is very grateful for the tender care of his caregivers and health professionals.

Contributions may be made, in his memory, to the Mass Audubon Society, 1280 Horseneck Road, Westport, MA 02790; The Humane Society and Shelter, 31 Ventura Dr, North Dartmouth, MA, 02747, or to the charity of your choice. For online tributes: www.waring-sullivan.com