Peter Kashatus

1946 - 2026

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength." ~Saint Francis de Sales

Peter John Kashatus of Charlottesville, Virginia passed away peacefully on February 3 at age 79 after a five-year journey through vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. His wife, Ann, and his children Beth Ann, Peter, and David all spent time by his side during his final days holding his hand, singing hymns and Beatles songs with him, and making him as comfortable as possible.

Pete was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on April 6, 1946 to Peter and Julia Kashatus. As the oldest of 10 children, he learned the skills of caring for and nurturing children that would serve him throughout both his personal and professional life. At G.A.R. Memorial High School in Wilkes-Barre, Pete was the recipient of the Outstanding Athlete, Scholar, and Gentleman Award.

Pete's toughness as an offensive tackle for the G.A.R. football team and success in the classroom caught the eye of coaches at Princeton University. After graduating G.A.R. in 1964, Pete attended Princeton and joined the team, where he was known to be as fierce and unrelenting on the football field as he was gentle and kind off the field. He graduated with a degree in psychology, was a co-recipient of the Charles W. Caldwell Memorial Trophy for most improved player, and helped the team win a share of 1966 Ivy League Championship. The friendships he developed at Princeton and his connection to the school were just as important as his academic and athletic accomplishments. Pete faithfully returned to campus for class reunions to reminisce about hard-fought gridiron battles and "notorious" wrestling matches in the Cannon club where he was known as the "Lithuanian Landslide." Pete represented the class of 1968 for several years and annually interviewed prospective students.

After graduating in 1968, Pete started his long and impactful career as an educator, coach, and mentor at The Millbrook School, where he served as a dorm parent, taught math, coached football (leading the team to an undefeated 1973 season), track, and women's basketball, and served as the Athletic Director from 1975-1980. Students and faculty at Millbrook knew him as sincere and caring. During his time in Millbrook, Pete also became Director of the Summer Day Camp for the town of Washington. As Director, Pete implemented a program to "allow kids to create their own play and rewarded kids for being themselves," an approach that he embodied in his own life and fostered in his children, grandchildren, and the many students whose lives he touched. Pete and Ann formed bonds with students and faculty at Millbrook that they have maintained throughout their lives.

In 1981, Pete joined the faculty of the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Connecticut. He coached football and had the privilege of coaching both his sons during their high school years. He started Brunswick's Computer Science department and was responsible for guiding the school's adoption of computer technologies in teaching. While at Brunswick, Pete earned a Master of Arts in Computers in Education from Columbia University Teachers College. Pete's Catholic faith was an important pillar of his life. At St. Catherine of Siena Church in Greenwich, he served as a Lector, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and acted in many productions with the St. Catherine Players.

In 2003, Pete and Ann moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where Pete returned to his roots teaching math. At Providence Day School, Pete would often arrive at school early to provide additional math tutoring to students, some of whom rewarded his effort by penning love letters they insisted he give to Ann. Pete also nurtured his love of learning and technology by leading a new student club building robots from LEGOs. He continued coaching football and, as at Millbrook and Brunswick, became a respected and beloved member of the school community.



After retiring, Pete and Ann moved to Charlottesville, VA and Pete found himself busier than ever. His passions for learning, service, athletics, and the arts defined his retirement. Pete worked at the Meadowbrook Golf Course to support his life-long love of golf, competed in shot-put at a Senior Olympics event, threw himself into University of Virginia Olli courses, took up drawing, painted countless water colors, and traveled with Ann to destinations across North America, Central America, and Europe. A trip to Lithuania to explore his heritage fulfilled a life-long dream. Pete also continued a deep exploration of his spirituality and his Catholic faith through fellowship and study with a Cursillo group. Beyond just study, Pete lived his faith through his commitment to social justice, working with the IMPACT direct action organization to advocate for people of Charlottesville experiencing homelessness, at times spending the night in shelters to raise awareness and provide support.

Pete will be remembered most of all for his joyful, optimistic approach to life and his devotion to his family and friends. Pete and Ann's marriage of 57 years, built on their shared faith, was a model to many. A beloved brother, he never missed an opportunity to attend family gatherings. His children will remember his patience and love, his sense of humor, his companionship on the golf course or on cross-country road trips, and his presence in all the important moments. His grandchildren will remember their silly Poppop for his playfulness spending countless hours crawling on the floor, playing games, and creating art, and his genuine awe at every one of their performances. His friends will remember his loyalty, kindness, and sincere interest in their lives.

Pete is survived by his wife Ann; his children and their spouses Beth Ann and Dan, Peter and Jennifer, and David and Jen; his grandchildren Audrey, Sally, Ainsley, Ellis, Sukey, Emmett, and Leo; and his siblings Cathy, Ann, Bill, Gerard, Pat, John, Greg, and Renee. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Marie.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Pete's life on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 12:00 pm at the Church of the Incarnation, 1465 Incarnation Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia. The service will be livestreamed through the church website. A reception will follow at 1:30 pm at the Hillsdale Conference Center, Charlottesville.

If you are moved to contribute, the family welcomes donations to IMPACT of Charlottesville (https://impactcville.com/investing-in-impact/) or to support Alzheimer's Disease Research at the University of Virginia, please enter "Medical School Research" in the designation field. (https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/19163/donations/new?a=4336703)