Passing peacefully on Saturday, April 16, 2016, Peter M. Peskie will be remembered as a lifelong dairy farmer.

He loved just about everything about farming. He believed many of the best things in life are free: the splendor of a sunrise, the rapture of wide open spaces and the exhilarating sight of his land greening each spring. He knew true happiness came from watching his crops ripen in the field; and even though farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on earth. The hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person’s character.

Peter was committed to farming and never wanted to do anything else. He started farming his grandfather’s farm at the age of 17 and juggled his farm chores with his schooling. After graduating, at the age of 18, he built a new barn to pursue his dream of farming. Peter understood that with farming, there was always something to do; there was no retirement, even in the winter time, but this was his dream.

As with anyone, Peter had a lot of bumps in the road. Beginning in 1994 with a leaking heart valve, later needing a pacemaker and then a defibrillator. Then in 2012, he ended up with a descending aortic dissection which forced him to give up his life’s passion. This weakened his spirit, but he was still able to help his brother, Paul, farm. His kidneys started shutting down; and even though he tried dialysis, there was hurtle after hurtle for him to overcome.

Peter is survived by his brothers, John (Linda) and Paul. He is also survived by his niece, Gail (Steve) Burant; and nephews, Daniel (Sandy) and Steven (Angela). He loved his great-nieces and nephews, Danielle, Connor, Addison, Ethan and Carter. Peter was preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Rose M. (Pawlowski) Peskie; and his grandparents, Peter and Agnes Peskie, and John and Martha (Kubowski) Pawlowski.

Peter was an advocate for Donate Life, especially after his great-nephew (Ethan) received a liver transplant at a young age. He made his family aware of his wishes in advance, and with renewing his driver’s license, he was on the Donor Registry List. Even though his organs weren’t able to be donated, his eyes, tissue, bone and cartilage were. The family was told he would be able to help 50-75 people by giving the gift of life.

The family is grateful for the exceptional and compassionate care of the Ministry Hospice team, the nurses and staff at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Atrium Care (River Pines) Center.

A Celebration of Life Service in honor of Peter will be held at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Mill Creek on Saturday, April 23rd, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the prayer service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Pisarski Funeral Homes & Cremation Center are honored to be assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.

You blessed me with friends that came when I called
Land that’s fertile so my crops grew tall.
Reliable equipment that didn’t break down
Weather that’s perfect sun up to sun down
A bountiful harvest I did not regret
For I was a farmer, on this you can bet!