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Peter Good Obituary
Jan: "My good man, what do you have to say about your good life?"
Sparrow: "Peter Good, born in 1942, South End of Hartford, attended Buckley High School and the School of Fine Arts at UConn where he met Jan Cummings, his lifetime partner, and together they created numerous works of art, prints, books. They served the community. They've always believed that graphics could express the Common Good. That's it. You can do anything you want with it."
To which we add the following:
A World-Famous Designer and Artist
Creator of the most enduringly iconic Hartford Whalers logo and countless other designs acknowledged by all the major graphic design organizations and design periodicals globally and included in the collections of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Library of Congress, The Museum fur Kunst und Gerwerbe, Hamburg, the Neue Sammlung Museum Munich, and the Museum of Modern Art, Toyama, Japan among others.
A Mentor and Inspiration for So Many
Great men are not always good men, but Peter Good is known by his friends and family, local community and within the larger design world as singular for his kindness, generosity and support for everyone who got to know him. In the wake of his departure, witnesses are appearing from the woodwork to testify to his loving impact and creative inspiration. His particular mixture of brilliance and kindness touched the hearts of so many struggling to find themselves and unfold their gifts. Sparrow is a true legend of design and art and love.
A Dedicated Husband and Creative Partner
Peter was married to Janet Cummings Good for almost fifty-eight years. Together, Peter emphasizes, they engaged in a dynamic creative partnership from their days in art school to running the award-winning Cummings & Good design studio in the iconic building they renovated and ran, to their many personal creative projects they enjoyed in their professional retirement at their art and cat-filled home in Chester. Jan will continue their work together in sharing the treasury of their artistic legacy.
An Incredible Father and Guide
Peter and Janet raised two sons, Justin and Jesse, offering them a blessed life of art and philosophical stimulation and unconditional love, guided by his wise and loving goal of wanting them to know who they are. His extended family now includes Justin's partner, Jennifer Taylor, and Jesse's partner Mirna Martinez and their two children Olive and Mateo.
His inspiration and example continue to support them with gentleness and intellectual provocation, all fused together into a sly smile and mysterious wink.
A Mysterious and Funny Poem
Peter left his body at home surrounded by his family, without fear or regret or judgment of any kind. He used the occasion of his imminent departure to release his Inner Light, modeling with humor and grace, the inexplicable potential for "death" to become an opportunity for Healing and Truth and Liberation. Bringing his poetry into the deepest challenge of living inside a body, he left us with the reassurance, from One who is in the Space to Know, that Love will Prevail.
"I know we will be together. I don't know how I know, but I do."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Good
Sponsored by the family.
carol dean
April 29, 2025
Think of Peter often. So sad he is physically no longer with us. He will be missed at our next Bulkeley High reunion.
Glenn Garlick
June 25, 2023
I send my condolences to Peter´s family and friends. I am the cellist in the Manchester String Quartet, and I have known Peter since the inception of the MSQ chamber series at the National Institutes of Health in 1989. Peter designed a poster so evocative and colorful for our first season at NIH that we continued our association until we had to pause the series in 2020 due to COVID. Now I look at these thirty beautiful posters and I marvel anew at Peter´s ability to summarize a complex concept into one striking image. I treasure the memory of working on these projects with Peter, and I can see his genius and spirit reflected from the walls of every room in my home.
Robert Appleton
June 10, 2023
Peter was a great designer and dear friend. His influence lives on.
Marilena Vaccaro
June 4, 2023
Peter was an amazing man. He was multi-talented, gentle, kind, inspiring, a goodman. He and Jan mentored Sandy and I in so many ways. We will always cherish the times we spent together in loving memory. Rest well Peter and know that you've inspired many in so many ways.
Susan Hotkowski
June 2, 2023
So very sorry to learn of Peter's passing. He was a huge beacon to our community as well as touching so many lives. He will be missed but always remembered.
Karen A. Kratzer
May 30, 2023
I loved that guy, for his kindness to me, his humor and intense dedication to his family and his art. Have some fun up there, Peter, and thanks for all your fine deeds. Later.
Susan Garro Millerick
May 24, 2023
Dear Jan and family,
We worked together so long ago on some annual reports for Northeast Utilities and I still have one of the canisters in which you packed the iconic Cummings & Good calendar. My sincerest condolences to you all, and to the world, for the loss of a very dear, brilliantly talented and perceptive man. Peter's ability to translate so much energy, passion and love into images was unmatched. Again, I am so sorry for your loss and agree that we all will see him again.
Hattie Kittner
May 17, 2023
Though it´s been years since I´ve seen Peter and Jan, I have wonderful memories getting to know them as I worked at Goodspeed and frequented their store. May his memory be a blessing to to the family. Sending love to Jan.
Hattie Kittner
Jennifer Almquist and Tom Fahsbender
May 11, 2023
Dear Jan, Justin, Jesse and family, our hearts are with you and we share your grief. Working with Peter at the Special Olympics World Games was an honor. His clear, brilliant logo design endures. He was also a friend that I hold in my heart. I will never forget him.
Peggy Price
May 10, 2023
Peter was one of THE MOST authentic, intelligent, thinking, kind, funny men I have ever known. It is just so sad. My heart goes out to you, Jan, Justin and Jesse, and to Peter & Jan's daughter in laws and grandchildren. With much love, Peggy Price
carol dean
May 10, 2023
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Peter. He was a kind, caring, generous, talented person who also graduated from Bulkeley High School with me. I am so happy he & Jan were able to come to our reunions. He will be missed by many. My sincere sympathy to Jan & his family
Patrick McCaughey
May 10, 2023
To Janet: we were saddened & shocked by Peter´s passing. I kicked myself the hundredth time for not getting up to Chester to take him to lunch. Even if long intervals interrupted our friendship, we always seemed able to pick up where we left off. Peter was not only an inspired designer but immensely intelligent about the purpose of the design. He did some remarkable work for the Wadsworth Atheneum when I was there & what a joy he was to work with , so good humoured, so casually intelligent about the museum.
Peter & I had. An enjoyable & amusing trip together to Minneapolis to collect an award for the newsletter designed by Peter, yea conceived by Peter from a mismash of museum views. I gave a speech which somehow enraged our mid west audience & was virtually booed off the stage. Then Peter spoke & charmed his listeners & was cheered from the platform! Yo this day I can´t remember what i said that annoyed those midwesterners but
I can recall Peter´s deft speech about how graphic design could enhance even the best art museums. Dear Peter, how I miss him today & can only imagine. How devastated you must be. You have my love & sympathy.
As ever
Patrick
Maureen and John
May 10, 2023
Dear Jan and family,
So many years and memories of Peter. His kindness and love will always be with us. A caring and Good person. We shall miss him.
Maureen and John
John M Barry
May 8, 2023
I hold dear the memory of having worked very closely with Peter and Janet when they took on the formidable challenge of devising for UConn a signature logo, distinct from the state seal, that would distinguish the University among all other state agencies. As proud UConn graduates, Jan and Peter poured all their heart and creative energies into the project. Their study of University and State history rendered a mark so distinct, so specific, so meaningful, so rich but accessible, so beautiful that it continues to adorn University ceremony, pageantry, and medals to this day. I cherish that work, and the moment it represented in my professional career, but more importantly, I cherish the opportunity it gave my colleagues and me to get to know two remarkably creative geniuses and two very fine and generous people. Thank you, Peter and Jan, for such a special moment and memory.
Tom Corso
May 8, 2023
Peter was a dear grammar school and high school classmate. Am happy that I was able to visit with him at his studio and to receive some personalized tokens of his artwork and that I was able to present him with one of his earliest "master pieces" -- a rendering of the Bulkeley mascot bulldog that he prepared for the "Torch" (the BHS newspaper). Am also thankful that we were able to reunite at several Bulkeley reunions. Will miss his friendship.
Joell & Gerry
May 8, 2023
Peter - one of the kindest and supportive men ever known - an inspiration on how to be a beautiful human. The world was blessed to have him here. Our sincerest condolences to family and all who knew and loved him.
Lois Sabatino
May 7, 2023
Janet, Richard and I are so sorry. Peter was one of the nicest, most gifted human beings we ever knew. He created some of the most beautiful posters for me. I have the signed Trees for Towns poster hanging in our home here in Naples, and we get so many lovely comments about it.
I'm sure Peter is in a special place, still creating and being the special person he was with us.
Richard and LOIS SABATINO
adreanne good
May 7, 2023
my condolences go out to the family a beautiful person with a heart of gold riheavenly peace gone but never forgotten
Virginia S. Foster
May 7, 2023
As many others have mentioned in these messages, Peter was simply a superb example of the best kind of human being - brilliant, exquisitely talented, sensitive, witty, and above all, KIND. Yes, above all, KIND.
Jade Katherine Pickens
May 7, 2023
It's still hard to accept it feels like yesterday grandma was telling me stories about Aunt Jan and her and Uncle Peter or even remembering the time we visited yall and you told John Matthew and I about the troll. Uncle Peter was a rare and amazing person and I'm blessed to have known him. I love you Aunt Jan my prayers are with you Jesse and Justin
Brad Wolff
May 7, 2023
We lived in Chester from 1983-87 and I knew Peter from his studio downtown. During one of the Chester Road Races, he spotted me down below and invited me to watch from the 2nd floor balcony! Such a wonderful, creative, warm person, he left an indellible image on planet Earth. To Jan and the family, so sorry for our loss!
Bonnie Jeffries Sherwood
May 7, 2023
I met Peter in Cynthia Snow´s watercolor class at UConn.
We both kept touch with Cynthia until her death, so I saw Peter and Jan at Cynthia´s funeral.
When we were students in Cynthia´s class, Peter discarded a pen and ink drawing.
I rescued it from the trash and still have it.
I did tell him what I had done and we laughed about that.
He will truly be missed.
Bonnie Jeffries Sherwood
Bonnie Jeffries Sherwood
May 7, 2023
Peter, We met in Cynthia Snow´s art class at UConn.
When you discarded a pen and ink drawing, I rescued it from the trash.
Years later, I confessed to you that I have it and treasure it. We laughed about that.
I´m so sorry to read of your passing.
I´m happy I have that drawing of yours.
Bonnie Jeffries Sherwood
Will Duggan
May 7, 2023
Together Jan, you and Peter and your design ideas and events made Chester a magical happy place for Andrée and me. Here's to your life well-lived Peter.
Jon Craine
May 7, 2023
Goodby my friend. Your influence will be far-reaching.
Marilyn Grote Malcarne
May 7, 2023
Jan, Justin and Jesse, I fell in love with the Good family many years ago. It has been a privilege and honor to know you. I have taken much inspiration from Jan and Peter for their love, kindness and amazing creativity. To see their sons inherit the same qualities filled my heart. Much love to the three of you. Much love to the creative genius we called Peter.
Joan Kryston
May 7, 2023
Peter was more than just an uncle. He was the main man in my life. I learned so much from him. He and Jan taught me how to be a GOOD human. Love, gentleness, respect, honor. My life is so much better for being able to share it with them. I'll always cherish our time together last summer.
Kristin Marlena DiErrico
May 7, 2023
I will never forget Peter's sweet smile, quiet wisdom, brilliant talent, generosity, compassion and his beautiful partnership with Jan.
And I will always remember his deep love and support for his family, friends and our treasured community. His sincere appreciation for nature, beauty, life and its' many small miracles. Including...a nice glass of wine, beautiful music, a purring cat, a good book, quiet conversations in front of a fire...thank you dear Peter Sparrow for sharing it all.
Marie Gionfrido Hamilton
May 7, 2023
My heartfelt condolences to you all. Indeed the Sparrow has taken flight to soar and watch over you . Simply put, Peter was a good man and he was loved by his world and good family.
Darcy white
May 6, 2023
I was so blessed to have Peter at my mom´s memorial last November... thanks for sharing his light with us. darc
Kevin Hall
May 6, 2023
He was a friend and mentor to many of us here in the graphic design community who will be greatly missed.
Geoffrey Myers
May 6, 2023
Goodbye my friend. You will be sorely missed. You were a huge influence on me, and in my lifelong pursuit of art. You had such impeccable taste and intuitive understanding of aesthetics and the memory of our passionate discussions has remained with me to this day. I´ll always remember the chinchilla coup quonset hut where we lived when we moved off campus to escape the system. Your beautiful spirit will remain with me always, Geoffrey
Judith shea
May 6, 2023
Loved you Peter
Judith and joseph shea
Wendy Hart
May 6, 2023
Such a lovely man. He was our neighbor and he always had a smile for us. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Jack M Tom
May 6, 2023
Thank you Peter for your inspirations and beautiful designs. RIP
Casey McGannon
May 6, 2023
A friend on PEI who had shuffled off her mortal coil requested these words on her holy card - Entered into Cosmic Consciousness. So perfectly articulated. A wonderful way to describe our passing, Peter's passing from this life. Such an extraordinarily lived life. Love to you Janet and your family.
Sarah Jansen
May 6, 2023
Peter was a wonderful man and an asset to the community, family and friends. He will be remembered and missed.
Emily Rapp
May 5, 2023
We all learned so much from this wonderful man. Embrace deep curiosity, creativity, intellectual pursuit. Listen - really listen with your whole self. Touch, hug, look into each other's eyes. This is how Peter was - fully present, connecting, energized. He was there for me a long time ago, and I will never forget him. Love to you Jan, Justin and Jesse!
Amie Fanning
May 5, 2023
An iconic man. Proud to say I've met you on numerous occasions. One in a million.
JohnAhern Jr
May 5, 2023
A very nice guy and classmate.
Matt Donovan
May 5, 2023
Uncle Pete you had such an influence on my life that I was able to express to you. I am so thankful Mark and I came to visit you and Aunt Jan a month ago. I hope one day to be half the person you were. Heaven gained an angel.
Katie and Tim Kesten
May 5, 2023
So very sorry. Peter was such a kind, brilliant soul. Our deepest sympathy.
Rosanne Charizione Hornyak
May 5, 2023
I have so many fond memories of Peter and Jan dancing at our high school reunions, of visiting them at the studio and boutique, of Peter graciously give me so many samples of his work and sharing stories of his family and life. I will always remember his as one of the most accomplished artists in the Bulkeley High School class of 1960. He was my classmate and a dear friend.
Anne H Nevins
May 5, 2023
His smile was ever present when I saw him.
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