Paul "Peter" Orvis Jr.

1934 - 2024

Paul "Peter" Orvis, Jr.
10/15/2024
Paul (known as Peter), age 90, passed away on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Community Hospice and Palliative Care in St. Augustine, Florida.
Peter was born on January 25, 1934, in New York City to the late Eileen (Henry) and Paul W. Orvis II. He grew up in Scarsdale, NY, where he delivered newspapers by bicycle to most of the town's residents for many years…an early display of his lifelong entrepreneurial spirit. He attended Scarsdale High School until enrolling at Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut. At 17, he joined his family in Calcutta, India, where his father had been posted. His experiences there were colorful and varied. He wore a tuxedo almost every night and attended many parties. Peter's father decided he needed a more rigorous education and sent him to the Mt. Hermon School in Darjeeling, India. He enjoyed watching the tea pickers and views of Mt. Everest, but not the school. Peter returned to the rigors of the Irish Christian Brothers in Calcutta and ended up at the University of Geneva Switzerland. There he founded a band in which he played the piano and accordion. Returning to the United States, he attended Middlebury College, where he was the Social Chairman and party planner at Alpha Tau Omega. He earned a BA in History and Geography.
Upon graduation from Middlebury, Peter joined New York-based Riegel Paper as a sales associate. He summered in Bay Head, NJ and it was there that he met Celia (CeCe) Crouse. They married in 1959 on October 31 (yes, Halloween) and were looking forward to celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this October 31st.
Peter and family moved to Wilton, Connecticut in the mid-1960s. Always active in the community, he volunteered at the Wilton Playshop, Kiwanis Club, the Wilton Congregation Church, the Wilton Historical Society, and Norwalk Community College. His favorite was coaching Little League Baseball. Unlike some other teams' coaches, he made sure each player had a turn at bat. His favorite memory was when a special needs player, who had never before reached first base, hit a home run!
In 1969 he started a long, successful career in the alarm industry. Along with a partner, he opened Watchguard Corporation, and they built that company into one of the largest security firms in the Northeast. In 1978 the two parted ways and shortly thereafter Security Solutions Inc (SSI) was born. Son Jamie joined SSI in 1986 after college graduation (Middlebury) and soon managed the company, while Peter focused on the Central Communications, Inc. (CCI) call center which he had started in 1985. CCI was created to monitor the alarm systems from SSI and to answer calls for local businesses. Son Paul took on management roles at CCI for several years in the 1990s. Both companies flourished under family control until Peter retired from active day-to-day management of the businesses in 2000.
Throughout his entire career, Peter willingly volunteered his time for many industry causes and associations. He was an executive VP of the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (now ESA) in the 1970's and helped establish many industry initiatives and conferences. He was the founder of the Connecticut Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (Now CASIA) and became the executive director of the association soon after that. He gave tirelessly of his extensive industry and business knowledge to many up-and-coming alarm industry associates. Many of those professionals followed his path, built successful companies of their own, ascended the association ladders, and became industry leaders themselves. Peter was elected by his peers into the industry Hall of Fame and is recognized as an Alarm Industry Icon. He was also well regarded in the call center industry and was active in leadership roles in both the Startel National Users Group (SNUG) and the Association of Teleservices International (ATSI), where he was recognized with the ATSI Hall of Fame Award in 2017.
Peter and Cece moved to Marsh Creek in St. Augustine, Florida in 2000 and lived there for many wonderful years. The final move was to Westminster St. Augustine in 2020, where Peter became chair of the Employee Appreciation Fund, which he ran successfully for three years. He was a thoughtful, loving man with a broad grin and a contagious laugh. He was a caring and engaged grandfather in support of his three grandchildren's varied interests and activities. Peter and Cece have always been supportive of the arts and many philanthropic endeavors. Free time was filled with much golf and world-wide travel.
Peter is survived by his wife of 64 years, Cece, sister Marlene Shahhein of Shelton, Connecticut, brother Jonathan P. Orvis of Camp Springs, Maryland, his sons Paul W. Orvis IV and his wife Dawn of Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, and James D. Orvis and his wife Anne of Fairfield, Connecticut, granddaughter Amanda Orvis of Stamford, Connecticut, grandson Ryan Orvis of Norwalk, Connecticut, grandson Paul W. Orvis V and his wife Katie of Wilmington, Delaware and sister-in-law Catherine Orvis of Sterling Heights, Michigan. He was predeceased by his brother Woodson of Sterling Heights, Michigan, and sister-in-law Brenda Orvis of Camp Springs, Maryland.
Peter was the first of three generations of Camp Dudley campers. Camp Dudley's motto is "The Other Fellow First." Donations in the memory of Peter Orvis – Camper # 7200, can be made to Camp Dudley, Inc. and mailed to 126 Dudley Road, Westport, NY 12993. Contributions will be used to provide scholarships for underprivileged boys.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 36 Sevilla Street in St. Augustine. A reception will follow after the service.
A second memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26th at 11 a.m. at the Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Road, Wilton, Connecticut.