Peter Dorian Roessiger

Peter Dorian Roessiger of Wolfeboro, NH and Castine, ME passed away on the Friday, October 24, 2025, peacefully at home in Wolfeboro surrounded by his loving family, a week short of his 87th birthday. Peter was born on October 30, 1938 in New York to the late Hans Peter and Marianne (Girard) Roessiger.
He spent his childhood in America as well as in Switzerland where he received his early education. After he graduated from High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He would proudly tell one and all, "Once a Marine always a Marine." He graduated with a BS in Geology and Geography from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was there he met his wife, Leigh, whom he married in St. Prex, Switzerland in 1983.
After graduation, he went to work prospecting in the Citronelle Oil field in Alabama but soon after he decided to join his father's industrial fastening systems business. He and his brother later founded PAK2000 in Tuftonboro, NH.
Peter loved adventure and did everything from summiting the Matterhorn in Switzerland to shooting the rapids on the Colorado with his beloved daughter, Merissa. He indulged his love of camping, hunting, and hiking while living in Colorado working for his father's business. He learned to fly on the GI bill and flew all over the country on business and for pleasure in his Beech Bonanza. He was an enthusiastic sailor, and he and his family spent many days sailing the Maine coast in his classic yawl, Harvest. Later in life, he developed a passion for historic preservation and restoration, and chaired the North Wolfeboro Historic District Commission for many years.
Following in his father's footsteps he was an enthusiastic Rotarian and particularly loved selling their Christmas trees in Wolfeboro. He was one of the original Wolfeboro-Tuftonboro Land Bank members and served as its second president.
Peter was a man of few words but of many gifts, with a sharp wit and commanding presence. Friends will remember him for his insistence on maintaining the tradition of the "Swiss Kiss" i.e. the three air kiss greeting and very firm handshake.
His deep love of the southwest led him to support numerous Native American organizations. He also contributed to many other charities from Operation Smile to St. Jude's. He was particularly proud of the children he sponsored in an orphanage in Haiti run by Father Marc from Castine.
He is survived by his wife, Leigh Hibbard Roessiger, his daughter, Merissa Rogers-Roessiger, and her husband, Benjamin, and their son, Peter Alden Rogers; his brother, Claude Roessiger, and sister-in-law, Amina Roessiger, and sister-in-law, Lucybell Roessiger as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins in Switzerland. He was predeceased by his brother, Denis Roessiger.
The family wishes to thank the devoted and caring nurses and staff from the VNA and Hospice who made it possible for Peter to stay in the home he loved so much. A very special thank you goes to Tracey and Diana who provided him with such exceptional and loving care. We will be forever grateful to all of you.
At his request there will be no calling hours and burial will be in Switzerland. A celebration of life will be held in Castine in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Wolfeboro-Tuftonboro Land Bank and Lakes Region Humane Society.
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