Peter J. Lanctot

And now we say farewell to our dad, Peter John Lanctot... Peter: lover of books and words, capable of binge-reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy epics the way many people binge-watch new seasons of their favorite shows on Netflix. Peter John: a natural born woodsman who needed little more than a moment to memorize the outline of a trail map and couldn't lose his sense of direction in the forest if he tried. Uncle Pete: master crossword solver, Scrabble assassin, and rapid calculator of cribbage hands. Peter, aka "The Grey Pilgrim," Lanctot: carver of ornate walking sticks and all around compulsive crafter. Walking encyclopedia of Tolkien and Lord of the Rings lore. Six decade long Bob Dylan loyalist, and under sung great-taste-in-music-haver: Simon & Garfunkel, Nina Simone, R. Carlos Nakai, Neil Young, Otis Redding, Moody Blues, Fleetwood Mac, etc.

Pete, the grumpy-but-loving-outlaw wizard: a fiercely proud dad, uncle, brother, and son. U.S. Naval veteran and fixer of generators in the National Guard. More than competent backyard mechanic and excellent carpenter—by all accounts Pete "worked like a Lanctot." Very much a birdwatcher and full fledged birder in general. Known for random acts of hospitality, stopping to help total strangers, and being willing to give someone in need the flannel off his back. Working class intellectual with unwavering faith in Jesus and the Bible but without subscribing to any organized church or denomination. Stargazer and champion of breakfast foods. Lover of hot coffee and cheeseburgers, comfortable chairs, justice, kindness, Camels, tobacco pipes, sage, a well sharpened knife, American trucks, éclaires, quality tools, Coca-Cola in a glass bottle, and black raspberry iced cream. Master of homemade meatballs and deviled-eggs.

Pete from Vose Street, with that easy twinkle-eyed smile, and loud infectious laugh. Loving and loyal cat-sitter, dog-sitter and doggy dad. Historic cemetery volunteer, cutter of grass, and painter of benches. A man who loved his country but who despised war, Wall Street, and inequality in any form. Devoted hardcopy newspaper subscriber who also scanned ten online news sites a day. Chopper of wood and vigilant fire tender, he revered nature and indigenous ways of life. Intense Patriots fan, at times known to non-ironically bellow in revulsion and actually throw random objects at the TV screen during especially tough losses. Baseball was his favorite sport as a kid and he saw himself as a natural third-baseman with a reliable arm. He didn't make many trips to Fenway in his youth or as an adult but loved listening to the Sox via FM radio while sitting on a lawn chair in the backyard.

Once dubbed "His-Own-Way Peter" by the matriarch of the clan, he was quite possibly one of the most axiomatically stubborn men in recorded human history. Although he probably read as many or more books than any teacher or professor to ever educate his children, Pete waited until his mid 60's to earn his first college degree. He had a deep appreciation for self-reliance, gardening, farming, the true meaning of Christmas, history, westerns, peace, quiet, and just plain ole' being left alone. For seventy-two years, he sincerely kept his own counsel with little compromise, suffering neither fools nor bullies, and along the way managed to travel up and down North America, across Europe, and the Pacific islands. Now, our Grey Pilgrim has made his way to the clearing at the end of the path. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and invoked frequently through our dreams and prayers.

Peter leaves behind the love of his life and decades-long partner Paula Lanctot, his radiant daughter Sarah Lanctot (perhaps the only person capable of changing his mind on anything), his son and heir Jared Lanctot, "Cymba The Dog" Lanctot, his room-mate and Irish twin Roger Lanctot, his niece Tara Lanctot and his nephew Daniel Lanctot (who both lovingly found ways to stay up in his business during the best and worst of times), his brothers: David, Charles, Mark, and Edward, and his sisters: Patricia, Mary, Jean, and Anne Marie, as well as a battalion of intrepid nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Amen.

Per his wishes, there will be an outdoor Celebration Of Life gathering and ceremony at Pavilions A and B at Lincoln Woods on Saturday, May 16th at 1 PM, and an official burial service at Pocasset Cemetery (a cherished family meeting place where Pete was a longtime volunteer) at 10 AM Sunday, May 17th.

Tangled Up In Blue,

~Jared and Sarah Lanctot (Paula & Cymba too)

"The Road goes ever on and on

Out from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

Let others follow it who can!

Let them a journey new begin,

But I at last with weary feet

Will turn towards the lighted inn,

My evening-rest and sleep to meet."

—Bilbo Baggins