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Peter Burrows Obituary
Prominent figure skating coach Peter Burrows passed away on April 9, 2014, in Port Washington, NY, after a valiant struggle with a brief illness. He was 75.
Burrows was born in Manchester, England on July 27, 1938. He trained first with Gladys Hogg and then his main coach, Arnold Gerschwiler, in London and in Davos, Switzerland. His competitive record includes British Novice, Junior and Senior Men's titles, British Junior and Senior Pairs titles, and World Team member. He was slated to compete in the 1960 Olympics held in Squaw Valley, but withdrew due to injury, going on to star in the BBC TV show "Hot Ice and Cool Music."
In 1966, Burrows emigrated to the United States at the invitation of Hans Gerschwiler, teaching at the South Mountain Arena in New Jersey. He subsequently taught for the Skating Club of New York at the original Skyrink in Manhattan on 33rd Street, and on Long Island, NY at Twin Rinks and Racquet and Rink during the 1970s. He coached Dorothy Hamill in the period leading up to the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, where Hamill won the Ladies' gold medal. Hamill credited him for her win in her autobiography "A Skating Life." His work with her established him as one of the most pre-eminent coaches in the United States.
In the late 1970s, Skip Butler, then manager of Racquet and Rink, made the fortuitous introduction between Burrows and Barry Wolkon, the owner of Sport-O-Rama in Monsey, NY. Thus began a thirty-five year association with Sport-O-Rama, where Burrows became a United States World and Olympic coach, as well as an international coach to skaters around the globe. He coached Elaine Zayak to her Junior World, and Senior National and World championship titles. He produced 14 Olympians, 26 World team members and numerous United States national medalists. Among his other luminaries were Michael Chack, Rocky Marval, Calla Urbanski, Kyoko Ina, and Jason Dungjen.
He directed a school at the Iceland arena in New Hyde Park, NY for 19 years, as well as managing and consulting for several schools in the tri-state area. Burrows was a Professional Skaters Guild of America master rated coach, inducted into the PSGA Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Imperial Professional Skating Union Gold Medal Award for training a world champion.
Many of his former students became successful as skating coaches in their own right, or pursued prosperous careers in fields unrelated to skating as lawyers, doctors and investment bankers. Upon his passing, his students have noted that his work ethic and discipline instilled in them valuable life skills and treasured memories, and that "Mr. B," as he was affectionately known, was "a coach's coach." He was an avid golfer and squash player.
Burrows is survived by his wife, Katherine.
There will not be a memorial service at the present time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Peter Burrows to Little Shelter in Huntington, NY.
http://littleshelter.com/how-you-ca
n-help/in-memory-in-honor/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Burrows
Sponsored by Katherine Healy Burrows.
Linda Attardi
April 5, 2025
Peter is missed every day. He was a bright light in our lives. He represented the sport of Figure Skating and was the most incredible coach. His presence was so powerful yet such a fine gentleman who was eloquent classic and brilliant. We miss him every day and are so grateful to have shared a part of our lives with him. His spirit lives on within us as we embark on our journey. Thank you Katherine to continue to share your kindness friendship and love with us. XO
With all our Love Always
Linda & Alexandra Attardi
September 9, 2015
PSA Hall of Fame article third page
September 9, 2015
PSA Hall of fame article second page
September 9, 2015
PSA Hall of Fame article first page
September 9, 2015
Katherine and Peter - In Prospect Gardens, Princeton University.
June 6, 2015
In the Princeton University Chapel - On the steps of the Princeton University Chapel.
June 6, 2015
Katherine and Peter's wedding reception
June 6, 2015
PSA Coaches Hall of Fame Award - (5/22/2015)
May 27, 2015
PSA Coaches Hall of Fame Award - (5/22/2015)
May 27, 2015
PSA Coaches Hall of Fame Award - (5/22/2015)
May 27, 2015
PSA Coaches Hall of Fame Award - (5/22/2015)
May 27, 2015
PSA Awards Banquet - (5/22/2015)
May 25, 2015
Peter and Ella Mizrahi
May 24, 2015
Hall of Fame Ceremony - Katherine in the hotel room before the PSA Awards Banquet, where she would accept the Coaches Hall of Fame Award later that evening for Peter. Minneapolis, May 22, 2015.
May 24, 2015
Katherine and Doug Mattis
May 24, 2015
Katherine with the Hall of Fame trophy
May 24, 2015
Peter's Hall of Fame trophy - Closeup of the inscription on Peter's PSA Coaches Hall of Fame Award, received on May 22, 2015. The one-of-a-kind EDI Award trophy is sculpted in bronze by Meghan and Douglas Taylor-Gebler.
May 24, 2015
Peter's Hall of Fame trophy - Peter's PSA Coaches Hall of Fame Award, received on May 22, 2015. The one-of-a-kind EDI Award trophy is sculpted in bronze by Meghan and Douglas Taylor-Gebler. This particular design is inspired by the PSA logo.
May 24, 2015
PSA Awards Banquet Program
May 24, 2015
PSA Awards Banquet program
May 24, 2015
Katherine and Peter - In Prospect Gardens, Princeton University
May 23, 2015
Sport-O-Rama - With 1994 British pair champion and European and Olympic team member Jason Briggs at Sport-O-Rama. Jason came to the United States to train with Peter, and later worked with Peter as a coach at Sport-O-Rama.
May 13, 2015
Iceland Tribute - The Skating School at Iceland's tribute to Peter Burrows on the first anniversary of his death. They retweeted his wife Katherine's tribute photograph, and also posted their tribute to Facebook and Instagram.
May 13, 2015
Katherine, with Peter's son and his wife in New York City, three months after Peter's death.
May 13, 2015
Peter and Evelyn Rossoukhi-Schneider
May 13, 2015
St. Moritz, 1955 - Peter practicing an inside spread eagle in St. Moritz, 1955.
May 13, 2015
A forward inside spiral.
May 13, 2015
Sport-O-Rama
May 13, 2015
Peter Burrows - British junior men's champion, 1956.
May 13, 2015
Peter with his long time student, Gabi Paolini. Gabi went to Cornell, and recently graduated from Columbia Law School.
May 13, 2015
Sport-O-Rama - Peter with Andy Briggs, the son of Jason Briggs, on the ice at Sport-O-Rama in April, 2012.
May 13, 2015
At a party.
May 12, 2015
Peter Burrows - Peter on the sidewalk in Nagano, Japan, during the Olympic Games.
May 12, 2015
Peter and Valerie - In June, 1961.
May 12, 2015
Peter with his two youngest children and their poodles.
May 12, 2015
Peter with his eldest son and his father on a camping trip.
May 12, 2015
Peter with his two younger children.
May 12, 2015
Peter with his eldest son in 1975.
May 12, 2015
May 12, 2015
Peter and Joelle
May 12, 2015
Peter training Elaine Zayak, along with some other candid photos from Sport-O-Rama. Glyn Watts is teaching a young student in the upper right corner.
May 12, 2015
May 12, 2015
A brochure from Sport-O-Rama, featuring Peter with Elaine Zayak, and Alison Oki, who became the United States junior national champion under Peter's tutelage in 1984.
May 12, 2015
May 12, 2015
Davos, Switzerland - Peter Burrows is fourth from the right.
May 12, 2015
Davos, Switzerland - Peter Burrows is fourth from the left.
May 11, 2015
Davos, Switzerland - Peter and Valerie are on the left.
May 11, 2015
Peter and Valerie - On their wedding day in England. June, 1962. Their wedding was covered extensively on British television.
May 11, 2015
Peter's daughter, Claudine - Claudine, on her wedding day. Peter was preceded in death by his daughter. Claudine tragically passed away at the age of 46, in October, 2013.
May 11, 2015
Peter and Claudine - Peter with his daughter, Claudine, on her Communion Day.
May 11, 2015
Peter and Valerie
May 11, 2015
1994 Nationals - Signed photo to Peter from world champion Elaine Zayak at the 1994 Nationals, with Nicole Bobek, Tonya Harding and Michelle Kwan.
May 11, 2015
Signed "Anderson, '93." Given to Peter as a gift, this caricature was framed and hung on the wall of his office in Sport-O-Rama for more than twenty years.
May 11, 2015
Peter with Rocky and Calla - With his pair team, United States National Pair Champions, Rocky Marval and Calla Urbanski.
May 11, 2015
Sport-O-Rama
May 11, 2015
Badges Peter received from the United States Figure Skating Association. These commemorate Peter's coaching as a member of the American team at several different international events.
May 11, 2015
With the artist LeRoy Neiman.
May 11, 2015
Sport-O-Rama
May 11, 2015
Sport-O-Rama
May 11, 2015
Iceland
May 11, 2015
Sport-O-Rama
May 11, 2015
Sport-O-Rama
May 11, 2015
At a competition.
May 11, 2015
Peter and Tom Incantalupo - With coach Tom Incantalupo and one of Tom's students at competition. Peter trained Tom in New York and guest taught for Tom in what would be his last traveling teaching engagement in Minneapolis in September, 2013.
May 11, 2015
Peter with Kyoko and Jason - With United States national pairs champions, Kyoko Ina and Jason Dungjen at the Olympic Games. They were world team members and two time Olympians.
May 11, 2015
Watching one of his skaters at competition.
May 11, 2015
Peter with his mother - Peter with his mother at two years old.
May 11, 2015
Peter's last pair of teaching boots. He always wore Klingbeils.
May 11, 2015
With Tracy Doyle on Peter's right, and Elaine Zayak front center.
May 11, 2015
Peter with his students Roseanna Tovi and Kristi Seymour
May 11, 2015
At a competition with his students - Peter's student, Danielle Montalbano, is second from left. She currently represents Germany in senior pairs.
May 11, 2015
Sport-O-Rama: Peter and Ella Mizrahi
May 11, 2015
Peter and Michael Chack - With Michael Chack at competition.
May 11, 2015
Peter and Michael Chack - With Michael Chack at competition.
May 11, 2015
Peter and Michael Chack - Signed photo from Michael Chack
May 11, 2015
Peter and Elaine
May 11, 2015
Peter and Elaine - At the World Championships in Copenhagen, 1982. In the center is world champion Elaine Zayak, flanked by Katarina Witt (left) and Claudia Kristofics-Binder (right).
May 11, 2015
Peter and Elaine - A signed photo to Peter from Elaine Zayak.
May 11, 2015
Peter, two years old, with his favorite teddy bear.
May 11, 2015
Peter practicing school figures
May 11, 2015
Katherine and Peter - At the entrance to the arena, in Nagano, Japan, during the 1998 Olympic Games.
May 10, 2015
Katherine and Peter - Outside the arena in Nagano, Japan, during the Olympics.
May 10, 2015
Peter with Kyoko and Jason - Peter with his pair team, United States pairs champions, Kyoko Ina and Jason Dungjen, at the 1998 Olympic Games.
May 10, 2015
Peter and Elaine - Peter with World Champion Elaine Zayak, at the 1994 Nationals. He coached Elaine to her World title.
May 10, 2015
Peter Burrows and Scott Hamilton - Peter and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton together in United States team uniforms behind the scenes at a skating competition.
May 10, 2015
On the podium, with Valerie - British Pair Champions, Peter Burrows and Valerie Holman-Hunt.
May 10, 2015
On the podium, with Valerie - British Pair Champions Peter Burrows and Valerie Holman-Hunt.
May 10, 2015
Peter Burrows and Jimmy Disbrow - Behind the scenes at the Nagano Olympics in 1998. Jimmy Disbrow was the United States figure skating team leader in Nagano.
May 10, 2015
Peter Burrows - With Katherine, and Jimmy and DeDe Disbrow at the World Championships in Minneapolis, 1998. Jimmy Disbrow was the president of the United States FIgure Skating Association at that time.
May 10, 2015
Peter tying on his skates
May 10, 2015
Peter and Valerie
May 10, 2015
Peter and Valerie
May 10, 2015
Peter and Valerie - With a skating official.
May 10, 2015
Peter Burrows and Valerie Holman-Hunt - Dinner at Junior Pairs Championship, 1960.
May 10, 2015
Peter and Valerie
May 10, 2015
Peter and Valerie
May 10, 2015
May 10, 2015
A spread eagle in Manchester
May 10, 2015
Peter Burrows and Ida Bailey - Peter and Ida in second place, British junior pairs.
May 10, 2015
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