Peter Michael Lockatell

1953 - 2025

Peter Michael Lockatell

January 22, 1953 - August 4, 2025

The Lord called Mike home on August 4, 2025 Mike was born in Nyack, New York. He grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey. He attended Bryant College in Rhode Island and Bergen Community College in NJ. He held a degree in business and ornamental horticulture. Mike was a landscape professional and turf manager for over 40 years. He relocated from NJ to Va. in 1996. In 1999, Mike met Dr. Lloyd Zurbrigg, a well known hybridizer of reblooming iris. Dr. Zurbrigg became Mike's mentor. After the passing of Dr. Zurbrigg, Mike continued his work. Mike's first garden was in Powhatan and was featured on PBS show Virginia Home Grown. His 2nd garden was The Joyce Lockatell Memorial Garden in honor of his mother. Mike's gardens were open to the public so he could share his knowledge and the beauty of his plants. His last garden is at JSRCC in Goochland. Mike was a frequent guest speaker at numerous garden clubs throughout Va, NC and Md. He traveled to Idaho, Texas and Missouri to speak on iris and peonies. He was a frequent vendor at plant sales and farmers markets. Mike has been featured in the Times Dispatch, Powhatan Today, the Goochland Courier, Richmond Magazine, Virginia Living Magazine and Virginia Gardener Magazine. He was past president of CVIS and the Old Dominion Herb Society. He was the AIS Region 4 reblooming iris director. Mike was an avid model train collector and a member of the Train Collector's Club. He is survived by Carolyn Martinez, his life partner, brother James Lockatell (Sherry), brother Thomas Lockatell (Ginny), sister Barbara Lockatell (Jack), sister Aimee Roulette (Ron). He was preceded in death by his brother Steven Lockatell and his parents, Joyce and Peter Lockatell. A memorial service will be held on August 12,2025 at Affinity Funeral Service, 2720 Enterprise Parkway, Richmond, Va. 23294. Interment will be private. Memorials may be made to your local ASPCA. Many thanks to the nurses and staff at CSICU at VCU, Select Specialty Hospital and Medi Hospice.