STEELE, Peter C. Peter C. Steele, a 39 year resident of the Boston area, died on May 24, 2017, from pancreatic cancer. He was 69 years old. Peter was a 43 year career employee of the National Park Service which he began after graduating from Yale College in 1970 and obtaining a master's degree in History Museum Studies at Cooperstown, NY. In 1990 under the direction of Superintendent John Burchill, and supported by many people and organizations, Peter oversaw the restoration of many national sites and monuments along the Freedom Trail such as Faneuil Hall, Bunker Hill Monument, and the Old State House. Peter provided expert knowledge for the restoration of the African Meeting House, the oldest standing Black church in America and the Abiel Smith School, the 1st public school for African American children in Boston, both projects funded by Boston's Black community. Earlier, as Curator of the Boston National Historical Park, Peter acquired a WWII destroyer from the Navy and brought her up from Philadelphia to Boston. Peter then obtained the equipment necessary for her restoration. She now complements the USS Constitution, showing the importance of the Boston Naval Shipyard in 20th century America. Peter managed Alternative Transportation in the Northeast region of The National Park Service. He oversaw the construction and improvement of pedestrian and bicycle trails, shuttle buses, trollies, and ferries that exemplify forward looking public transit encouraging visitors to leave their cars behind during their park visits. Before moving to Boston, he worked at Federal Hall in New York City and Sagamore Hill (Theodore Roosevelt's home) on Long Island.
Peter was born on February 25,1948, in Washington, DC, son of Jack and Barbara Steele. He grew up spending summers on the coast of Maine. There he developed a life-long love of nature and America's National Parks, a devotion exceeded only by his love for his wife, Margaret Micholet and their children, Matthew and Catherine. His work with the Park Service and his church membership helped him achieve personal goals to better life in America by enhancing awareness of the nation's history and culture, protecting the natural environment and people's enjoyment of it, and promoting peace, tolerance and respect for the lives of others. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by a brother, Jeffrey, and his wife, Barbara of Bethesda, Maryland, two sisters-in-law and many nephews and nieces. A memorial service will be held at Follen Community Church on June 2nd at 2:00 o'clock. I lieu of flowers, in support of Syrian refugees, memorial contributions may be made to
www.uusc.org "Refugee Crisis." Lexington 781-862-1800
www.douglassfh.com