Peter Grim Lisle

Peter Grim Lisle (86), fondly known by his five grandchildren as "Grimmie," played one last game of backgammon with his family the night before he passed away at his Providence home on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Born in Providence, RI, in 1938, Peter found joy in life's simplest pleasures including backgammon, fishing, clamming, hunting, writing poetry, gardening, and time with family and friends. His kindness, curiosity, humility, humor, quiet strength, and strong optimism touched many who knew him.

Peter graduated in 1960 from Williams College with a BA in American History and Literature, subjects he remained passionate about throughout his life. He launched a successful career in investment management shortly after receiving an MBA from Wharton Business School, and joined Brown Lisle Cummings in 1968 as partner, proudly serving for over 50 years. Peter found deep fulfillment in helping others and generously supporting causes such as wildlife conservation, local libraries, and land trusts.

He described himself as lucky in love. His first wife, Bonnie Simmen, whom he met just before heading off to college, was a beloved partner and instrumental in raising three children before passing away after an 11-year battle with cancer. Their children-Bradford, Jennifer, and Scott-are now married and blessed Peter with five beloved grandchildren: Isabel, Sophia, Benjamin, William, and Nicholas.

He got lucky in love again when he met and married Kay Johnson in 1993, finding joy and companionship once again with both Kay and her son, Erich Dethlefsen. Kay opened Peter's eyes to the wider world beyond New England through her great passion for travel, good books, music, food, wine, and art.

A lifelong explorer, Peter especially loved the coastal community of Westport, MA. Fishing was his favorite extracurricular passion. "Fishing," he once said, "remains for me the best way to commune with what's left of the serenity and beauty of the natural world."

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. on September 12th in the Historic Chapel at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Peter's memory to Save the Bay, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, or Westport Land Conservation Trust.