Peter Gore

Peter B. Gore

1927-2012 WILMINGTON, VT Peter B. Gore, 85, a resident of Ballou Hill Road, Wilmington, Vt., passed away peacefully at his home Thursday August 9.

He was born in Amherst, Mass. on January 29, 1927 the son of the late Harold M. "Kid" Gore, former athletic director at UMass, Amherst, and his wife, Jane (Pollard) Gore. Peter attended Smith College Day School and was educated in Amherst schools and at Deerfield Academy. He received his Bachelor Degree from Marlboro College, Marlboro, Vt., in the college's first graduating class, often recalling Robert Frost presenting the commencement address. He served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy in World War II. Peter received his Masters Degree from the University of Massachusetts and further studied at Laval University, Canada, and Grenoble University in France. He taught French and coached athletics at Deerfield Academy for 23 years. Upon returning to Vermont, he taught at Wilmington High School, worked at Greene's Service Center, was a rural mail carrier, then a clerk at the Wilmington Office of the U.S. Postal Service, retiring from there in 1993.

Mr. Gore established and operated the Wilmington Antique &. Flea Market, Inc. He felt deep satisfaction in maintaining the flea market property over the past 30 years. His summers were spent growing up at Camp Najerog on Lake Raponda in Wilmington, Vt., established by his parents in 1924. He was a camper, camp counselor, ran the water skiing program and was an assistant camp director. Peter was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. He enjoyed traveling and the outdoors, listening to all types of music, collecting coins and stamps, and was a member of the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association and the Vermont Old Cemetery Association. During the past several years he enjoyed spending winters in Fort Myers, Florida, biking, walking and attending Boston Red Sox spring training.

Mr. Gore is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sally Lukow formerly of Greenfield, Mass.; his children, Candace Bittner, husband Brian, and daughter Abigail of Glen Allen, Va.; Timothy Gore and his son Luke of Lenox, Mass. and Linda Gavin, husband Daniel and their daughters, Casey and Erika of Turners Falls, Mass.

He took great pride in his grandchildren and enjoyed their summer visits to Lake Raponda as well as cheering them on at their various sporting events.

He also leaves four nephews, Christopher Gore of Gunnison, Colorado; Geoffrey Gore of Bennington, Vt.; Barry Gore of Dexter, Mich. and songwriter/vocalist "E", Mark Everett of Los Angeles, Calif.

He was predeceased by a brother, Harold M. "Bob" Gore Jr., and sister, Nancy Everett; niece, Elizabeth Everett Thompson; niece, Jennifer Gore Lewis (who died on 9/11 at the Pentagon).

Mr. Gore will be cremated and buried in the family cemetery on Ballou Hill Road. A private service will be held at a later date. Wilmington and the Deerfield Valley resonate within Peter's spirit. Those wishing to contribute in Mr. Gore's memory may send gifts to Deerfield Valley Community Cares Program, PO Box 5, Wilmington, VT, 05363. To send personal e-mail condolences to the family, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of COVEY, ALLEN & SHEA FUNERAL HOME, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT.