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Peter Galloway Huidekoper

1926 - 2015

Peter Galloway Huidekoper

1926 - 2015

Obituary

Guest Book

BORN

1926

DIED

2015

About

Middlesex School New York University

Peter Huidekoper Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 4, 2015.

Peter Galloway Huidekoper, 88, passed away Friday, May 1, at his home in Nonquitt, Massachusetts comforted by his loving children and caregivers. Peter was born in Washington D.C. to Reginald and Bessie Huidekoper on September 22, 1926. He adored his parents. His wife of 66 years, Mary (Mimi) Beckman Huidekoper, whom he cherished, passed away last May. Peter and Mimi raised their 5 children in New Canaan, Connecticut before moving back, 20 years ago, to where they first met, Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Peter spent every summer of his life and his last 20 years living on and loving Buzzards Bay.

Peter graduated from Middlesex School. However, before graduating, he joined the American Field Service and served in India. Later, he attended New York University. He started his career with Austin Hastings in Boston and then he worked for Wellington Sears and was transferred to New York. In 1961, becoming the president of Weed and Duryea, a lumber and hardware company in New Canaan. He nurtured that company for over 35 years before retiring.

Peter was an avid and beautiful athlete – a great tennis, football and baseball player and weekend sailor. He was also an optimistic fisherman and a curious golfer, known for fast play and found balls! His love of sports led him to years of coaching pee-wee football and Little League baseball (the Stags). He devoted his time to teaching Sunday School at the First Presbyterian Church in New Canaan. He also volunteered for the Visiting Nurse Association and the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust.

Peter, who called himself Sweet Pete, loved the outdoors, his dogs and his birds, especially the blue ones. In his final years, despite poor eye sight and health, he found joy and solace in his family, his caregivers and his dogs. And he loved humor…particularly his own!

Survivors include his children, Lucy Edson and her husband Burnham of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Peter of Parker, Colorado; Elizabeth (Beppie) of Providence, Rhode Island; Henry and his wife Collette of Ridgefield, Connecticut; and Annie and her partner Joanne Swanson of St. Paul Minnesota; five grandchildren, Emily Bojovic, Katharine and Will Edson, and Henry and Christie Huidekoper; four great grandchildren; his sister, Elizabeth (Bettie) Clark; his brother-in-law, Charles Beckman; his sister-in-law, Sheila Huidekoper; and many nieces and nephews. He cared deeply about each and every one.

A small memorial service will be held at St Aidan's Chapel in Dartmouth, MA later this summer.

The family is very grateful for the tender care of his caregivers and health professionals.

Contributions may be made, in his memory, to the Mass Audubon Society, 1280 Horseneck Road, Westport, MA 02790; The Humane Society and Shelter, 31 Ventura Dr, North Dartmouth, MA, 02747, or to the charity of your choice. For online tributes: www.waring-sullivan.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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1 Entry

Anonymous

May 8, 2015

Hello Hank,

I just wanted to send condolences your way regarding the passing of your father.

Although Little League baseball was a bit of a struggle for me, playing for The Stags and playing for your father is one of those great childhood memories that all of us have in one form or another. It wasn't easy getting yelled at by your father on the field (Hit the bloody ball!) only to go home to be lectured by my father (another strong personality) about the principles of hitting. But, although I didn't realize it at the time, I needed that. I was quite an underachiever as a LL ballplayer. Yes, your Dad the crew-cutted, gum-chewing, with his dark-suit pants and white collared-shirt - was always tough . . . and always fair.

I still remember the first phone call he made to me to let me know that I had been drafted by The Stags. During our conversation he asked me what position I preferred to play and, reflexively but not to impress, I said that I would play anywhere. That drew a hearty response of Atta Boy! from your Dad.

I remember, too, my first home run (one of three in my Little League career!). To this day, I still remember as I watched the ball sail high and far to straight-away centerfield: all around me was silence. I heard nothing except your father exclaim That's gone!

I remember some of my strikeouts, too. Those hit the bloody ball moments. But, I won't get into those.

Another memory: your cute little sister Annie wearing her Stags cap while quietly, dutifully and efficiently performing her responsibilities as the ballgirl.

A few years after Little League, I went on to play Pony League baseball and I was actually the 1970 MVP. One day during that year, you said to me that my father can't believe that you are leading the league in hitting in Pony League. Fact is, I couldn't believe it, either. I shared that story with my father the other night. We both got a big chuckle out of it.

And, someday I should share with you how, during my second year on the team, your father handled a situation when he found out that one of his players (hint: initials JW) told a player on a rival team what our steal sign was. Probably my best memory of all.

All in all, my lackluster hitting most likely contributed to a number of sleepless nights for your father. For that, I apologize. But, I can't imagine having played for any other team or any other coach. Fortunate, indeed, am I.