Peter S. Sobin

1954 - 2015

Peter Sobin, an accomplished architect, husband and father, died unexpectedly Thursday, October 1 at Hartford Hospital. He was 61. Peter had a talented 38-year career as an architect with Quinn Associates and the S/L/A/M Collaborative. In addition to his professional career, he had an unending curiosity for the world - a trait he imparted to his two sons. At various points in his life he was an artist, architect, photographer, chef, coach, fisherman, carpenter, son, brother and husband. His smile was infectious and, as an avid reader, his knowledge was infinite. Peter Sturgis Sobin was born in Derby, CT on January 6, 1954. His father, the late Sturgis Andrew Sobin, was an antique furniture restoration expert and former mayor of Ansonia. His mother, Madeleine Martin Sobin, was a teacher and mother to five children. He grew up in a full house with his four siblings: his twin sister Andrea, brother Sturge, sister Cathy, and sister Christine. They shared a lot of love (and competition) and provided great joy to their parents. They spent summers at their beach house on the Milford shore where Peter loved to fish for blues and stripers and waterski. After graduating from the Phillips Exeter Academy in 1971, Peter enrolled at Cornell University where he discovered a love of architecture. He was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and an avid Big Red football and hockey fan. He graduated from the College of Architecture in 1976, and then returned to Connecticut to begin his career. Peter first met the love of his life, Linda, at a Hartford Whalers game. He asked her out and they had their first date a week later. Linda's gregarious energy was a perfect compliment to Peter's stoic calm. They were married at St. James church in Rocky Hill. Their first son, Jonathan, was born in 1981 followed shortly thereafter by their second son, Stephen, in 1984. Peter became a pillar of the two boys' lives. He worked hard and patiently, both at home and at the office, to provide and care for the family. He raised the boys as scholars and athletes and watched with loving pride as they developed into successful professionals. At both Quinn Associates and the S/L/A/M Collaborative he specialized in higher education architecture and managed major projects at Cornell University, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Connecticut School of Law, in addition to many others. Peter enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking, reading, skiing, travel, classic rock music and watching the New York Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Hartford Whalers. He served as a hockey coach, referee, and as president of the Central Connecticut Youth Hockey Association. He was an avid golfer and was especially proud of his hole-in-one at Tallwood Country Club. Besides his wife and sons, Peter is survived by: his mother, Madeleine Sobin of Southbury; brother Sturgis Sobin and wife Maryellen of Great Falls, VA; sister Andrea Adam and husband Bruce of Falls Church, VA; sister Catherine Szanto and husband Richard of Southbury, CT; and nieces and nephews Katie, Sturgis, Neil, Alexander, Ciara and Rachel. He was predeceased by his sister Christine and father Sturgis. Funeral services will begin at 9a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday (October 9) at 10a.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Family and friends may visit the funeral chapel on Thursday from 4-7p.m. Donations may be made to the Connecticut Historical Society, 1 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT 06105 and the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. To share a memory of Peter with his family please visit www.desopo.com