Peter Arlo Brouillette, of Plymouth, passed away early on Easter Sunday, March 31, at the age of 84. He went the way he wanted – peacefully at home with his devoted wife of 50 years, Mary, by his side.
Peter was a loving father to Maura Haley and her husband Chris of Norwood; Peter (P.J.) Brouillette and his wife Gretchen of Viera, FL; and Matthew Brouillette of Dartmouth. He was a loving and caring “Pappy” to grandson Kai Brouillette, and most recently inquired about his SAT scores.
Peter was born on April 25, 1939, in North Adams. He honorably served in the United States Navy from 1957-1960 aboard the U.S.S. Macon and U.S.S. Albany as a petty officer third class in the signal corps. Peter was awarded the Navy’s Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, and the Antarctica Service Medal during his time in the service.
Married in 1973 to the love of his life, Mary, they raised their three children in Plymouth. As empty nesters they relocated to Palm Harbor, Florida, and returned to Plymouth 15 years later.
Peter worked hard throughout his life. If you asked him what he did for a living, he’d respond: “Whatever paid the most.” At 80, he retired from his final job, where he worked as a driver for an eye clinic transporting patients to and from eye surgery in Florida.
Peter had many passions. He loved food – cooking it, eating it, reading and talking about it. He relished collecting clear plates after cooking a feast for his family while wearing his “Mr. Good Looking is Cooking” apron. He also appreciated a dinner out at a “fancy” restaurant. Peter grew some of his food, too – he maintained a large vegetable garden for many years, to the joy of all of the neighbors who benefited from the fruits of his labor. His bounty also yielded many cases of canned tomatoes, pickles and jams that were enjoyed year-round.
Speaking of labor, his boat “Labor of Love” brought the Brouillette family many summers of fun. He loved cruising through the Cape Cod Canal and watching the Fourth of July fireworks from his boat in Plymouth Harbor. Every spring he reinforced the value of hard work with his children by sharing the responsibility of painting the bottom of the boat with them! Later in life he hung up his captain’s hat and enjoyed cruising to Bermuda with Mary and the Caribbean with his Floridian friends.
Peter had dual citizenship in the US and Ireland. He and Mary spent many months traveling around the Emerald Isle, but they particularly enjoyed spending time in a traditional Irish cottage in Tubbercurry. He harvested peat from the bog, built lifelong friendships with his neighbors and enjoyed a pint or two at the local pubs. It was a different way of life, and they loved it!
Animals gravitated to Peter. He shared affection with many cats and dogs over the years, most recently with Smokey & the Bandit and Bella. He liked to feed the birds and even tried to persuade the squirrels and raccoons to accept food from him. He was a constant student, learning about wildlife and frequenting sanctuaries specific to birds of prey.
No matter the circumstances, Peter had a healthy sense of humor. You always knew when he was around. He was quick with a joke and delighted in being the center of attention (especially from the ladies!). He had a wardrobe of “funny” T-shirts that sometimes embarrassed his family in public. “I used to be a people person, but people ruined it” and “Old as Dirt” were favorites.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours in the Cartmell-Davis Funeral Home located at 619 State Road in Manomet on Sunday, April 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 8, at 10 a.m., at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 803 State Road, Manomet.
Peter will be laid to rest at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Friday, April 12.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Peter’s name may be made to Dartmouth Friends of the Elderly at https://www.dartmouthfriendsoftheelderly.com/ Peter’s son, Matthew, serves at the Veteran’s Officer in Dartmouth and relies on the DFE to support Veteran related programs.