Peter J. Coe

SHOREHAM - Peter James Coe, age 43, died Sunday, December 27, 2009, helping a stranger by the side of an icy road. Where he saw a need, Peter always helped.

He grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, where he graduated from Walt Whitman High School, while playing on their golf team. He turned down a golf scholarship to travel to California. He came back to the East Coast and attended Lynchburg College and St. Mary's College. Shortly after returning to Bethesda, he met his future wife, Valerie. They were married in 1990. Genevieve was born in that year and Nicholas was born in 1997.

He was most dedicated to his family's happiness. He chose Vermont as his home, after 36 years of living in the Washington, D.C., area, because it reflected his values of family, work and community. He was evenly excellent as a father, husband, son and friend. He always spoke of how much he loved the Vermont environment and lifestyle, where he could put in a full day of work and drive to see his son's baseball game without being stuck in traffic. The people of Shoreham, Vermont, embraced him as much as he embraced them. His children were the pride of his existence and his wife was the love of his life.

As one of his multitudes of friends wrote, Peter was an "Upper." His innate happiness, humor and love of life filled every situation including his home life, work and friendships. Whether it was golfing, fishing, hunting or just hanging out, he just loved being with people. He made any situation better, from bad to good or good to great. He could make anyone laugh in any circumstance. He had the work ethic of a farmer, the intellect of a scientist and the heart of a social worker. Peter didn't sit still for too long. If he wasn't helping someone either as a friend or volunteer firefighter, he could be found tinkering with his motorcycle or building something with his son or daughter. Peter found an old sidecar that fit his motorcycle so he could take his son to school in royal fashion. He loved his job as a public housing manager, particularly when he could help people that were helping themselves.

He is survived by his loving wife, Valerie, daughter Genevieve, son Nicholas, parents Bebe and Chuck, siblings Chuck Jr., Ginny, Chris, Rick, John and Mary, and a host of friends.

The memorial service to mark the passing and to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2009, at 1 p.m. at The Shoreham Congregational Church. The Rev. Gary O'Gorman will officiate. Following the ceremony, the family will receive friends at the Shoreham Fire Station for a time of fellowship and remembrance.

Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, may be made in his memory to The Peter Coe Memorial Fund, for the benefit of his children, c/o Mark Young, First National Bank of Orwell, PO Box 38, Orwell, VT 05760.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.

View the guest book at www.rutlandherald.com/ obits.