Peter J. Stahel

Peter J. Stahel

Peter J. Stahel of Cutchogue passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 72.

Peter was born on June 4, 1938, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Thereafter, he grew up in Garden City, N.Y., where, at the age of 11, he met his beloved future wife and best friend, Barbara (Babs) Tighe, a neighbor from across the street. Peter and Babs celebrated their 47th anniversary this year.

A devoted family man, Peter is also survived by his two loving daughters, Suzanne Miller of Williston Park and Laura Rich of Garden City. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Mark Christopher Stahel. He is also survived by two sons-in-law, Timothy Miller and James Rich, and eight grandchildren: Brendan and Parker Stahel, Sarah and Paige Miller and McLaine, Madison, Marlee and Maya Rich, who affectionately called him “Gampy.”

Peter graduated from Garden City High School in 1956 and from Colgate University in 1960. Peter enjoyed a long successful career in international real estate consulting and development. He traveled all over the world in this capacity and loved to tell his family and friends about his travels and experiences. Shortly after their marriage, Peter accepted a transfer to Switzerland, where he and Babs lived for four years. Having started a family, they returned to the United States and settled in Garden City to raise their children.

Their children grown, Peter and Babs relocated permanently to Nassau Point, Cutchogue after enjoying many wonderful summers on the North Fork. Peter continued his real estate career, working as a broker in residential real estate first for Prudential Elliman and more recently for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International in Cutchogue.

Peter was an honorable and distinguished gentleman whose greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. An excellent golfer, Peter took great pleasure in playing golf with his many friends at both the Garden City Golf Club and the North Fork Country Club. He will be in our hearts forever and missed by all whose lives he touched.

Services will be held on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, at 1 p.m. at Southold Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to the Monter Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to North Shore/LIJ Health System Foundation, 125 Community Drive, Great Neck, NY 11021. All gifts will be earmarked to the lung cancer program.