Frederick Peter Rice

In Loving Memory

Frederick Peter Rice

12/26/1938 - 3/2/2026

Frederick Peter Rice, lovingly known as "Pete" to his friends and family and "Pappy" and "Pop" to his grandsons, passed away peacefully on March 2, 2026, in St. Augustine, Florida, at the age of 87. Born on December 26, 1938, in the Bronx, New York, Pete was raised in Roslyn, Long Island, where he spent time fishing in his backyard park, playing basketball, and cheering on his beloved Brooklyn Dodgers. He met his wife Liz as a teenager in Roslyn, and the two later married there.

After attending CW Post and Cornell University, Pete married Liz on June 1, 1963. He began his career in journalism, first as a photographer and reporter at the Montgomery Advertiser and later as an editor at the New Haven Register. In 1969 he relocated to Miami to become an editor at the Miami Herald, where he worked for 35 years. Pete and Liz retired to Saint Augustine, where he spent his time fishing, writing, and reading. Despite his reserved nature, Pete's intellect and sense of humor endeared him to all who were fortunate to know him.

Pete was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose family was his entire world. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Liz Rice; daughters, Carrie Wilken (Mike) of Ormond Beach, and Laurie Segreto (Mark) of Sarasota; 4 grandsons, Michael, Nicholas, Christopher, and Dominic; and brother Robert Rice. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Lydia, his brother Larry, and his sister Linda.

A celebration of Pete's Life will be held at 3 pm on March 21, 2026, at St. Johns Family Funeral Home with Father Emmanuel Poovathinal - Joseph officiating. There will be a reception following the service. Flowers are gratefully accepted or donations in Pete's memory can be made to: Epilepsy Foundation of America at https://give.epilepsy.com/page/33651/donate/1.

St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.