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PETER KYROS Obituary


KYROS HONORABLE PETER N. KYROS Peter Nicholas Kyros, born July 11, 1925, a U.S. Representative from Maine, died July 10, 2012. Born in Portland, Maine, Peter attended public schools in Maine, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Both his father, Nicholas, and his uncle served in the U.S. Army in World War I. In the summer of 1942, Peter worked building Liberty ships at the Todd Bath Shipyard in Maine, developing an early love for ocean ships. After graduating from Portland High School in 1943, Peter enlisted in the U.S. Navy in a V-12 engineering program at MIT. He was one of seven cousins who served in World War II. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1947. He served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1953, serving on destroyer tours in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Upon discharge from the Navy as a lieutenant in 1954, Peter attended Harvard Law School, receiving his law degree in 1957. In 1966 Senator Ed Muskie asked Peter to run for Congress, and he was elected to represent the first district of Maine. In the U.S. Congress Peter served on the House Merchant Marine, Energy and Commerce, and Banking Committees. As a member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, Peter helped develop legislation to promote and regulate the U.S. maritime industry and pressed for legislation establishing a 200-mile offshore fishing limit to protect U.S. fisheries, supporting coastal zone protection and clean water. The enactment of the 200-mile limit, passed with the help of allies from Northwestern states, protected the U.S. fishing industry and the environment from the destruction of fisheries in U.S. waters. It stands today as the rule of law. Peter also worked to maintain the destroyer and submarine shipyards in Maine. He was responsible for the inclusion of Maine waters and rivers under the protection of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Upon leaving Congress, Peter served in the United States Department of State as a liaison to Congress on trade and shipping issues, and resumed a legislative consulting practice in Washington, D.C. as a member of the firms Finley, Kumble and Downey, McGrath. He represented biomedical research scientists as an advocate for scientific and medical research and funding for NIH. Peter organized a Congressional biomedical research caucus through which scientists have provided briefings to members of Congress and staff for the past twenty years. During this time, Peter also taught congressional procedure to senior federal officials. He also represented federal administrative law judges ensuring that their judicial independence and integrity be maintained. Former Secretary of Interior Manuel Lujan said: "Peter had a quick warm smile and was a lifelong loyal friend." Former Congressman George Gekas (Pa) noted that Peter was "a charming man, classical in every way but for his golf swing." His former law partner, Richard Davis of Cape Elizabeth, said: "He was a true friend, elegant in conversation, and devoted in his love for Maine, its history and people." Peter was predeceased by his beloved son, Peter N. Kyros, Jr., his brother George Kyros and Alice W. Kyros. He is survived by his wife, Susan, his daughter Joanne Carol Kyros, his son-in-law Thomas Schaufelberger, his daughter-in-law Valerie Kyros, and his five prized grandchildren: Katie, Lindsey, Nicholas, Caroline, and Peter III. The family will receive friends at JosephGawler's Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC on Sunday July 15, 2012 from 1 to 3 p.m.., with a Trisagion prayer service at 2:30 p.m.The family will receive friends at JosephGawler's Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC on Sunday July 15, 2012 from 1 to 3 p.m.., with a Trisagion prayer service at 2:30 p.m.

Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 12, 2012.
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My life was greatly enriched by the opportunity to work for Peter while he served in Congress and since then to sustain an enduring friedship over 40 years. I am deeply saddened by his passing and his memory will remain always in my heart. To Joanne and Peter's extended family, please let me offer my sincerest condolences and sympathy.

Larry Benoit

July 23, 2012

Joanne and family,

We were sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers. Have also mentioned to my Dad who knew your Dad at the Academy. He, too, sends his condolences.

Fondly,

Dave & Jennifer Hurt

David Hurt

July 20, 2012

Peter was a great friend who surrounded himself with people of great humor, wit and intelligence. I used to kid him about his seemingly never graying hair and accused him of dying it. He was a good looking guy and I was once at another table at the Capitol Hill Club and mentioned to a mutual congressman friend Peter's resemblance to Cary Grant. The congressman wrote a question on a paper napkin asking if he had ever been told so. A waitress then delivered the note to Peter. While he feigned resentment at the question, I am positive he enjoyed the compliment as we watched his reaction. I learned mcuh from him and he also became a repeat Cadillac customer of mine. My best wishes to his family and all who share in our loss of a friend.

Jim Churchill

July 16, 2012

It will never quite be the same without Peter, since he has influenced my life in ways too numerous to mention here. I met Peter in 1989, only a year after my father died. And in one sense Peter proceeded to become my surrogate father, as he shared his wealth of knowledge with me as a father would share with his own son. I will never forget what Peter taught me, but most of all I will never forget the friendship we shared together. May you rest in peace, Peter. And may God be forever with you, as my thoughts will be forever of you. Your dear friend,

Jim Allsup (Scottsdale, AZ)

Jim Allsup

July 15, 2012

I was saddened to hear about Peter Kyros death. I was President of the American Society for Cell Biology in 1989-1990 and chair of its public policy committee for several years thereafter. In those capacities I had a major responsibility in bringing in Peter on as our advisor and representative. Peter had many great ideas about how to improve advocacy for medical research on the Hill. I spent many hours with Peter over the next few years helping him build the Congressional Biomedical Caucus and working with him and George Gekas on the massive increase of the NIH budget. I developed a deep appreciation of Peter for his integrity, his insight, and his understanding of people. I know that his death is a loss to his family but I just wanted to say that tens of thousands of scientists in America owe him a debt; beyond that even more people around the world whose lives have been spared or suffering mitigated and who do not know Peter would if they could owe a similar debt to him. Political advocacy is not always pretty to see up close but Peter saw the nobility in it and added some nobility of his own. Many of us are grateful for his service and shed tears for his leaving. I wish his family health and happiness and the consolation of reflection on Peter's good life and work.

Marc Kirschner

July 13, 2012

To the family of my dear long-time friend, Peter N. Kyros.

My friendship with Peter, spans over fifty years. He was a dear friend and I was fortunate enough to have visited with him in Maine, with his daughter Joanne. Many pleasant memories remain. He made his mark and he will be sadly missed.

Richard A. Davis and

Gwen E Ricci

July 12, 2012

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