Peter Winslow Leighton

1930 - 2022

Peter Winslow Leighton
Peter Winslow Leighton, 91, of Fairfield, CT, passed away on August 11th. Peter was born on September 12th, 1930 to Winslow Percy Leighton and Ruth Elizabeth Walcott Leighton in Schenectady, NY, where his family lived in an old farmhouse. Peter attended Eaglebrook School and Deerfield Academy from grades three through twelve. He spent his summers at Camp Dudley on Lake Champlain, his parents' summer house on Lake George, and visiting his father in NYC where he worked in radio. After four years in the Navy as a radio operator aboard a submarine, Peter graduated from Yale University in 1958 and went on to establish a 59-year career with MassMutual, selling life insurance. It was a career perfectly suited to a golfer with a deep curiosity and love for people. At MassMutual, as in day-to-day life, Peter voluntarily mentored new agents who turned to him for advice and helped with their careers, a role he loved and excelled in. Peter was involved in many community and charitable organizations, among them was serving on the board of the Shubert Theater in New Haven during its revitalization in the 1980s and '90s.
Throughout their 71-year romance, Peter and his wife, Carol (née Lucille Carol Esdorn), loved to entertain, hike, play bridge, go to the theater, and travel the world. In the early 1970s, Peter and Carol joined The Country Club of Fairfield, where they spent countless happy hours playing golf and relaxing with family, friends, and clients. In the winter, squash replaced golf, playing several times a week. Peter continued his education by taking humanities courses at Columbia University well into his eighth decade of life.
Peter's real legacy is best understood by asking all who knew him how he made them feel. A kind man, he connected with people of all backgrounds, ages, and personalities. Peter led with warmth, a disarming sense of humor, and the biggest smile. His life was about fostering close relationships, helping others achieve their goals, and enjoying to the fullest extent all that a large circle of family and friends had to offer. He would often counsel us never to take things too seriously, as he said, "if you can't laugh at yourself, you're really in trouble." Peter made so many lives fuller and happier, and he will be terribly missed. Peter was predeceased by his sister, Linda; and his eldest son, Peter. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his sisters, Amanda and Jennifer; his sons, Carl and Christopher; his daughters-in-law, Eva and Cindy; and his beloved grandchildren, Caroline, Charlie, Ian and Jae Leighton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Peter's favorite local charities, Horizons Bridgeport ( HorizonsBridgeport.org ), whose focus is helping underprivileged children.