Peter C. Friend

NEWPORT - Peter Friend, 84, passed away Aug. 26, 2010, at his residence. He was born Nov. 24, 1925, in Newport, a son of Norris and Isabel (Cooper) Friend. He graduated from New Hampton (N.H.) Academy, Class of 1943, and graduated from Nichols College, Dudley, Mass. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a nose gunner on a B-24 during World War II. After serving his country and graduating college, Peter joined the family business. In 1948 he married the former Beverly Perkins and together raised their family in Newport. They were married for 58 years, until her death in 2006. Peter was a very active member of the Anah Shrine, where he served as potentate in 1985. He will be remembered as an avid motorcyclist and skier. He started skiing Sugarloaf in the 1950s. In 1961 he built a camp there that fueled a family passion for the area and skiing for generations to come. In 1964 he founded the motorcycle division of Friend and Friend, Inc., where he worked until the time of his death. He is survived by a son, Cooper and wife, Meredith Friend, of Ellsworth; a daughter, Anne and husband, Bill Pidgeon, of Milbridge; a brother, Gilman and wife, Donna Friend, of Newport; three grandchildren, Christopher and wife, Terri Hardiman, Megan and husband, Kyle Hildebrand, and Cooper P. Friend; and three great-grandchildren. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport. A celebration of his life will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at High Street Congregational Church, Newport, with Pastor Al H. Worden officiating. Burial will be in the family lot at Riverside Cemetery, Newport. Memorial donations may be made to Down East Family YMCA, P.O. Box 25, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Those who wish may leave written tributes and condolences at www.CrosbyNeal.com.