PETER AUGUST KAY

1938 - 2025

Longtime Sonora resident Peter August Kay was born in Spokane, Washington, on March 3, 1938.
He moved to Portland, Oregon, Ypsilanti, Michigan, Morrisville, Pennsylvania, Richmond, California, and Oakland, California, before settling in Sonora 50 years ago. Peter's father worked for the Kaiser Corporation, and his career required the family to move frequently. He graduated from Trenton Catholic Boys High School in New Jersey in 1956 then attended Bullis Prep School in Silver Springs, Maryland, in 1957 and Annapolis, Maryland in 1958. Peter enlisted in the Navy in 1955 and spent four years in the reserves and two years active duty in Opama, Japan (1960-61).
Peter moved to Sonora in 1974 with his wife, Barbara, and their two daughters, Shelly and Renee. He worked as a real estate broker until his retirement in 2010.
Peter enjoyed playing football, endurance MX racing, racquet ball, cycling and bike tours all over California and Oregon. He also loved water skiing and boating, and especially enjoyed doing the swing and Cha Cha with his wife.
Peter became a pilot in 1985 and was in a partnership with two friends flying a Cessna 182. He also was an avid reader and book collector and enjoyed traveling with Barbara on cruises to Mexico, the Bahamas, Hawaii and Europe. In their 60s and 70s, their traveling changed to trips on their Harley-Davidson Electra Glide throughout the western states.
He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sonora and served as a lector for 10 years.
Peter is survived by his two children, Shelly Njirich and Renee Thompson; as well as his five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Lunette; his father Peter M. Kay' and his sisters, Nenette Hall and Lucille MacKinnon.