Peter J. McIntyre

Peter Joachim McIntyre was born on August 15, 1936 at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City to Phelim McIntyre (Co. Mayo) and Bridie Sullivan (Co. Kerry), Irish immigrants to the United States.

Mr. McIntyre was a child of New York and a proud graduate of Power Memorial High School. He joined the US Navy in 1957 and volunteered to spend a year in Vietnam in 1968. Peter traveled the world and loved every minute of it. He retired in 1978 as a Master Chief and began a career with several defense contractors on Aquidneck Island, the place he called home the longest.

Peter was committed to making his community stronger. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight of the Christopher S. Rooney Council (Portsmouth, RI) in the mid-1980s. Peter also served in multiple leadership positions with the Rhode Island State Knights of Columbus through the early 1990s during which time he launched a successful state wide drug education program, partnered with organizations to help pregnant women in need, organized countless CYO Free Throw competitions, membership drive breakfasts and Tootsie Roll (which to the delight of his daughters, were stored at the family home) fundraisers  for the intellectually challenged. He was committed to Catholic education and worked for many years to build a Catholic high school on Aquidneck Island. He was a lifelong member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He later successfully ran for Portsmouth Town Council where he served from 2002-2010. He was respected by his fellow council members and Portsmouth residents for always putting the interests of the town first. He helped others in ways great and small. In 1977, Peter stopped drinking and later served as a mentor to others who hoped to do the same. Years later, he worked part time at Andrews /Murphy Liquor Store in Newport, a testament to his discipline.

None of his service to others would have been possible without the support of his wife and light, Alice McPartland McIntyre, who predeceased him in 2008. He is survived by his daughters, Maureen Brawner (Michael) of Gales Ferry, CT and Alison (Jason Sherman) of Washington, DC, four adored grandchildren; Emily Cliber (Matt), Megan and Kevin Brawner and Peter Sherman; and one great-grandson, Wyatt Cliber.  He was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Alice McIntyre.

The family would like to thank the staff at both Atria Aquidneck Place (Portsmouth) and Atria Crossroads (Waterford, CT) for the support they provided Peter during his residences. Peter enjoyed the company of many there and won more than his share of poker. The family also extends its gratitude to Fairview Nursing Home for the exceptional care they provided Peter in his final months.

Peter loved Irish music and his family. There wasn’t a newspaper he didn’t read, a flyer he didn’t pick up or a bulletin board he didn’t scan. His curiosity was insatiable, and he felt an obligation to be informed about what was happening in the world as anyone who ever received an underlined newspaper clipping from him knows well. He could talk to anyone about anything and he often did. He had a great run and he would be the first to tell you that. In Peter’s memory, please consider a donation to Fairview Nursing Home or the civic organization of your choice.