PETER TOWNSEND Obituary

TOWNSEND--Peter Wesley,

1948-2015, of Belgrade, Maine. Formerly of New York City. A woodsman in the city, Peter was a stay-at-home dad, Architect, builder, chef (he would say cook), traveler, hiker, and lover. He taught us how to love and be loved. While starting Una Architectural Studios, he resurrected homes including our little brick building (with rooftop jungle) at One White Street. He raised us as he learned to cook from our neighbors: Chanterelle, Duane Park Patisserie, and Franklin Station Cafe. He was always on the other side of the counter at 3pm when Lucca and Nina would come home from school with friends in tow. There were many half-days in Hoboken, birthdays in Coney Island, bike rides over bridges, trips to Di Palo's, and breakfasts at Socrates after judo with Sensei Oishi. Every summer we traveled from NYC to Maine, where he taught us to camp, kayak, build fires. While the family was decidedly urban, Messalonskee Lake also seemed like home. He was at home anywhere--small towns in Italy, the Adirondacks and the Pine Barrens, atop Tumbledown or Borestone. Countless people and places held his heart. In Italy, he instantly wove himself into the fabric of communities. Speaking Italian, he charmed locals with his adoration for their lands and foods. The woodsman trekked through the jungle, climbed the base of a glacier and prepared freshly caught trout with soon-to-be family in Ecuador. After 30 years in New York City, he created our true home on Messalonskee Lake. Every morning he would go for his swim, finding turtles, saying hello to neighbors. This week he went for a swim and didn't come back. He passed away quickly of a heart attack doing what he loved in a treasured place. He left behind a world of love, people, spaces, and lake creatures. Known far and wide for his pie, pesto, and potato salad, Peter will always feed our hearts. He's there for every bite. He is in every mountain, lake, turtle, loon call, every perfectly located iron hook and desk and light and window, every bike ride, every paddle, everywhere. We will miss him. A celebration will be held Saturday August 29th from 1-3pm at the Maine Lakes Resource Center in Belgrade Lakes. All are welcome.

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Published by New York Times on Aug. 27, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for PETER TOWNSEND

9 Entries

Sandra Lenon

September 17, 2022

Janna, I know this is a belated message of condolence. I´ve been thinking about you and had a dream that you, me and Cheryl were hanging out together. I am so sorry for your loss and will continue to keep you and your family in prayer.

Deb Fantera

August 31, 2015

When I decided to move from Baltimore to New York, it was Peter and Carmelo who gave me a chance and helped me make the adjustment. There are few people in this world that I admire and Peter was one of them. He was honest, kind and simply put a wonderful human being. One thing that stood out though was his love for his family. He showed me that you could be married and still disagree and be different people. I hope you find strength in knowing how much he loved you all.

betsy smith

August 30, 2015

Dear Janna, Nina and Lucca,
Remembering the wonderful spaces that Peter created for me and my family--the amazing Warren Street, the most adorable kitchen ever at Horatio Street, and my present kitchen, still a working and delightful space after 15 years. His drawings were exquisite, as were his ideas and his many gifts. My deepest condolences, he was a very special, lucky man.

Megan Slate

August 30, 2015

I remember when Nina and Bo were little, maybe 4 or 5, and Bo went head over heels down your stairs at White St. Janna and I were screaming. Bo got to the bottom and, not hurt, stood up. Peter, like an umpire, declared him safe. We all laughed.

I remember when Matt and I started our first entrepreneurial venture in the early 90's and I was talking to Peter about where I was going to cut costs including karate for Bo. He suggested I not do that because he was sure I would want to kids to feel that everything would be ok. He was right.

I remember the times I sat in your kitchen drinking Peter's coffee. He was always bemused by the fact that I drank instant coffee, referring to it as coffee beverage'. Always made me smile.

I remember so much about his calm strength. I remember thinking that he was a man you knew would help because he could help.

I remember all the times I saw him walking home with his different bagsbreads and Italian meats, pastas and oils, fruits and veg.

I remember seeing him going to or coming from a long swim and wishing I had whatever it took to do the samewe both loved swimming.

I remember how important your family was to ours, how much we enjoyed getting to know you and sharing our lives.

I will always remember.

Matthew Greene

August 29, 2015

Dear Janna, Nina & Lucca,

Megan, Bowen, Oliver and I are also shocked and saddened by your loss.

Being friends with the Townsends of Tribeca of the '80's, '90's and Oughts, celebrating all the small and big triumphs, all the small and large tragedies including the events of 9/11 - watching you kids and ours get their feet beneath them and becoming wonderful adults meant everything to Peter, as it does me, and I know how proud and pleased he was as a Father and Husband to see what a success the Townsend clan became.

He was a man in full, and he lived the life he wanted to live, and in you, has left a legacy that continues the tradition.

We love you all and are with you today, always.

Sheila Browning

August 27, 2015

Dear Janna, Lucca, Nina
I am filled with shock and sadness having come upon Peter's obituary in the NYtimes tonight! Peter's warm smile and friendly face came immediately to mind, although it's 20 years since he came to volunteer in Lucca's class at PS 234. He was the ''architect"" of the life size paintings of the Bears, drawn to scale for our bear study. I am so sorry. My heart goes out to you all. Sheila Browning

Fred Barber

August 27, 2015

I will remember the evenings we spent on the boat drifting in the middle of the lake eating black olives, but the time he and I went to Flagstaff Lake is a very special memory. When he cooked I felt as if I was in a small restaurant in New York. I enjoyed watching him swim in the morning from my dock and him stopping by before he went home. He was a good man and those who met him and will soon not forget. Thank you Peter for your recipe of Townsend Tomato's, we still love them to this day. Rest in peace.

Pat and Jim Gorman

August 27, 2015

A testimony to a person's character is that when they are gone, the world isn't quite as sunny, the stars aren't quite as bright. We will miss this kind soul.

A FRIEND IN Sprit

August 27, 2015

I know him and you all, as we are All One! Joined in LOVE, PEACE and JOY! I want to say this is such a Beautiful and love filled (well written) from the HEART and Soul!
I am sure he is overjoyed with being the light, the teacher by example who is within each of us!
Bless you all!

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