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Bob Harvey posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
I met Peter Weinberg during my first week of activities at Colorado College, having transferred to CC for my Junior and Senior years.
First impression? A slender (read as skinny), East Coast guy that was a know-it-all in terms of college and pro sports (focused on NY teams) but he was willing to help me “learn the ropes” (his words, not mine, something to do with upstate New York “camping”). Then I learned he was on the basketball team so we had some common ground on which to walk. That stroll lasted for 51 years. Sometimes it was months between telephone discussions, letters and emails. Sometimes there were several chats in a single day. My three way-too-brief visits in NYC and one in his new home on the Sound helped me to fill in the colors that made Pete who he was.
His dedication to the East Coast was a challenge. We often tried to remind him that there was life west of New York……he endured endless harassment as a result of his loyalty. How he got out to the western frontier that was Colorado Springs, I’ll never know.
The four of us developed a friendship of exceptional closeness and endurance. Our futures….geologist, college basketball coach, accountant/banker and developer…would not predict that we would remain as close as we did and, try as I may, I can’t recall one single incident that put our relationships at risk.
………and I credit Peter with being the mortar that kept us bricks together.
He had a way of interjecting, at the most peculiar times, the most bizarre comments that one could imagine. The result was always the rest of us just looking at him with a “WHAT?” expression. Then he would produce that weird smirk and shrug his shoulders with arms outstretched and palms up. Inevitably the conflict was rendered mute and life went on.
One of my favorite Pete memories occurred during an overnight camping trip in the Rockies….no not that “camping” that Pete was always talking about but tent camping, camp fire, all of that…..not that genteel camping in a cabin stuff. We set up camp on one of the hundreds of “Trout Creeks” that exist in Colorado. As twilight set in we fixed dinner and watched the fire burn down. Jerry and Rich took one tent and Pete and I in the other.
After the fire went dark, we heard some rustling around in the other tent…..mostly because Jerry was having trouble fitting his frame into the sleeping bag and tent. I heard the zipper go down…a couple of grunts and then Jerry, who grew up in south Chicago, just screamed out “OH MY GOD…..LOOK UP THERE….WHAT IS THAT?”
For a couple of moments all was quiet and then Rich said “Well, here in Colorado we call them stars.”
Peter Weinberg almost passed out from gasping for air at 10,000 feet in elevation while laughing so hard I thought he was going to pass out……every time he could reign in his laughter, he would snicker and then burst into hysterics once again.
For the next few hours we watched shooting stars and lied about being able to identify constellations.
Jerry and I recently agreed that Peter was, in effect, our kid-brother. That’s probably why we nicknamed him “Blocko”, which evolved from “Blockhead”. Most often this term of endearment was preceded by “Geez, Blocko, how in the world would you come to that conclusion.” For those times that required a more mature and masculine response, there were often beatings, wrestling matches and tortures…..and yet, we survived.
World championships in stick ball, basement tennis ball hockey and home-run derby were always challenged and disputed for weeks on end…..until the next playoff….and Pete was most always the one that craved the competition.
His ability to throw a football on a string amazed me. When we first asked who wanted to be the quarterback of our Universe Champion Flagball team and Pete said “It has to be me”, we all stood there trying to figure out who would be the first to say, “no way”. Then he picked up the ball a fired a pass that was not only fast but right on target. We would go on to dominate the flag ball league and when the GDI’s were running roughshod over the fraternity teams (undefeated schedule) they put together a “Frat All Star Team” to play us and we beat them by 30 some points. Of all the great moments in our sports careers, none of us savored a victory more than that one.
I could go on for hours on end and that’s why Pete often crosses my mind. There were so many reasons that I am so glad that he was in my life…..and the most important is that I am a better man for having known him, and I love who and what he was while here.
Well done, Pete, very well done.
R
Richard Moore uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
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I am proud to say that Peter was a dear friend of mine. We met while we were attending Colorado College and formed a life-long bond that has endured even though we have been geographically separated since we graduated (I am in Colorado). We, along with two other very close friends - Bob Harvey and Jerry Wainwright - played on the varsity basketball team and on the GDI (Gosh Darn Independents) intramural football team. Peter was the quarterback on the football team, I played wide receiver, and Bob and Jerry supplied the muscle. We took great pride in beating the tar out of all the fraternity teams.
While at CC the four of us engaged in several of the kinds of activities pre-adult college students are known for. Although Peter was not an instigator, he was a willing participant, contrary to what his later professional life might predict. One adventure involved retribution against one of our rival schools whose logo had been painted on our campus sidewalks one night. Colorado School of Mines sported a huge "M" on the side of a mountain adjacent their Golden, CO campus. Our mission was to visit Golden under cover of darkness and roll the white-washed boulders that formed the "M" down the mountainside. The "M" was fenced in and brightly lit. Peter's assignment was to man a two-way radio and serve as a lookout on the road above the "M" while the rest of us jumped the fence to roll boulders. Upon arriving at his post, he was to inform us that he was in position with a very brief transmission such as "OK". Instead, he declared over the radio "I am above the M". This of course, would have caused anyone outside our group (e.g., campus police) who was listening on the same frequency to immediately look up at the brightly lit "M" and detect our presence. Fortunately, that didn't happen, but from then on we never missed an opportunity to kid Peter about that faux pas.
After graduation, both Peter and I drew low numbers and were drafted into the military. Peter ended up in the Army and I ended up in the Navy. During that time, communication between the four of us broke down as we all went our separate ways. But in 1987, Bob and I got together again and drove to New York to attend Betsy and Peter's wedding. Meantime, Jerry was moving up in the college basketball coaching ranks. He eventually served as head coach of several different Division I teams and Peter became his biggest fan, attending games played in the New York area whenever he could.
Over the years the four of us have stayed in touch via email and occasional phone calls. Peter's emails usually followed a similiar format: news about his family, inquiry about my family, and commentary on what the Giants/Knicks/Yankees needed to do to improve. Peter and I frequently engaged in email debates, his teams versus mine. No winners were ever declared but he usually came out ahead using a combination of subtle humor and his vast knowledge of sports of all kinds. We also shared an interest in boating as we both were proud owners of a Boston Whaler and exchanged pictures of family enjoying boat rides.
Peter sent Kathie and me Christmas cards every year without fail. He always asked how we were doing and included brief notes about Betsy, Margit, and Raymond, frequently accompanied by pictures. The past few years his cards and emails have focused on the grand children. He was obviously a very proud family man.
In all my dealings with Peter, he never had bad words for anyone, regardless of what he thought of them. Peter was a man of integrity, honesty, kindness, and empathy, qualities which make up the character of a what I term a "good man". Although he has left this earth too soon, he will always be in my memory as a valued and trusted friend.
To Betsy, Margit, Raymond, and the rest of the family, please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss and our best wishes for the future. Peter will be missed by all who knew him but he will be a welcome presence in our memories.
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Christopher Pellino lit a candle
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
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My condolences. Peter and I worked together at Patriot Bank. He would pop into my office almost daily to talk about Yankee baseball. He was a great guy and will be missed. RIP my friend.
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Susan Orand posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
May the sadness of Peter’s passing be replaced in time by sweet memories of his presence in your lives
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Lonnie Philo lit a candle
Sunday, April 19, 2020
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Cliff Sperber posted a condolence
Friday, April 17, 2020
Peter's father Ray was my father's best man, and growing up in the Bronx the Weinberg's were like family to me, especially Peter and Marybeth, who are about my age. I loved playing ball with Peter, he was an excellent athlete, an excellent teammate, and a tough, but righteous competitor. In later years, it became at least as much fun to repair to a watering hole after the games, where Peter's bonhomie, wit, game analysis and encyclopedic knowledge of sports ruled.
I am grateful to Peter for many things, amongst them his conversations with my son Lucas, who, like Peter, grew up as a student of sports. Even as a child Luke loved talking sports with Peter because Peter was so into the conversation, always treating Luke with the utmost respect despite his tender years.
But Peter and the Weinberg's influence on my family and I runs much, much deeper. I grew up listening to their wonderful stories of camp, and in 1968 Peter invited me to join his sisters on a Thanksgiving weekend visit to check out some of their Harriman Park camp sites. That day set the course of my life's work in non-profit, which began in camp the following summer, became a 30+ year affiliation with the organization the Weinberg's worked for and has continued since. Aside from the day I met my wife Susan, the day Peter took me to camp is the most important day of my life.
Back before he became infamous, I'd heard Peter compared to Woody Allen. A comparison based on cute bespectacled looks, quick self-depreciating wit, and an abundance of intelligence. All true, but I always thought the better comparison was to Jimmy Stewart, whose integrity, earnestness, and calm but uncompromising resolve to do the right thing made him a national treasure. I know of no one more upstanding than Peter, and for all the great fellowship, laughs, and games, it is his character, that quiet but crystal clear conveyance that he would always do what's right, I'll best remember.
Susan and I send our deepest condolences and very best wishes to Betsy, Margit, Ray and all the Weinbergs. Peter will be missed, but his legacy of goodness will endure in countless hearts.
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Angela posted a condolence
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
I meet Pete through his work at Patriot National Bank. I was a vendor that provided assistance to his team, and he is someone I will always remember. He was so full of life, and he loved to talk a lot, very sociable, his personality was one of a kind,one of the nicest, kindest man I know. My prayers to his family, he was good man that was taken to soon..
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Sam Jacob posted a condolence
Monday, April 13, 2020
I first met Peter on the basketball court at the NY Athletic Club in 1984 or 85. I got the sense immediately that I was one of many who met Peter there. Peter could shoot the ball really well and if you left him open you paid a price!
We shared a love of the game and became close friends immediately. Peter was as fun and enthusiastic a guy as you could ever meet. He loved the traditions of the club and talked about players past and present-various aspects of their game, etc, but when he described these guys it was usually with great reverence. “ Sam:” he’d look at me in the eye and say quite seriously ..”That guy could REALLY shoot” or “ you want to talk about quick?” or “what an athlete he was”!
Peter began to invite me often as a guest and introduced me to his friends, including Charlie Hughes and Peter Scales and I introduced Peter to Patrick Fleming ,John Nicholson and Steve Lang. We all had many nights in the tap room with stories, laughter ,pints of beer and oysters.
Peter was loved by everyone on the court but was really THE mayor of that tap room where he knew every bartender but also the guys who never played ball but were sitting in the dark corners of that Tap room. After an hour and a half of hoops, the “play by play“ of that nights’ battles would take two hours! He always found something nice to say about my playing (and everyone at the bar)even after you had a tough night.
The nostalgia of games past, with details of individual games would intervene and again that reverence for the players past and present.
Peter recruited me to join the club. (28 years now) and I’m not sure I would have become a member if not for him.
Peter’s wedding to Betsy was really special and the pictures here make it seem like yesterday. He loved Betsy and his children so much and always spoke so glowingly of Margit and Raymond.
He had a response to the simple question on greeting him..How are you Peter?
“I’m fine! You know Sam: I have a lot of responsibility : I’m a husband, a father, a son, a brother.. ..an employee, a taxpayer a friend..“ While this was always fun to joke about, I realize now that Peter was “fine” because he loved all these roles immensely and handled them all so well.
He was truly a great person and friend and losing him is just so sad. My heart goes out to Betsy and his family.
M
Margit uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, April 12, 2020
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We love you dad❤️❤️❤️
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Patrick Fleming posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, April 11, 2020
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The first time I met Peter was playing basketball at the NYAC. Coming from Wyoming, we had an instant bond talking about Colorado College and playing against teams in the area. Peter was one of the most upbeat individuals I have ever met. I just told my son, if you could ever have Peter Weinberg's positive attitude, you would do well in life. I can not ever remember a time I met him that he didn't have a big smile on his face. A true inspiration!
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
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Guy Minetti posted a condolence
Saturday, April 11, 2020
I was very fortunate to have Peter as a good friend. He was always upbeat and full of life and we shared many laughs and good times together. He had many friends who loved him and will miss him greatly. We share your sorrow and have the entire Weinberg family in our thoughts and prayers.
Guy Minetti
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Nora LeMorin posted a condolence
Friday, April 10, 2020
One of my first memories of Peter is of him bending his tall frame to look my then 5 year old daughter Ruby right in the eye, to let her know he was really listening to what she was saying. She cherishes her memories of being out on the boat with Peter and Ray. We were fortunate enough to share many evenings around the table with the Weinberg's - always filled with thoughtful discussion and raucous laughter. I loved this obit because it really captured the fine man we have lost. My heart is with Betsy, Ray and Margit. May his memory be for a blessing.
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Laura Vitale Levine posted a condolence
Friday, April 10, 2020
Peter was a gentle, kind man who always had a smile . He loved his grandson Louie and was looking forwards to the years ahead with Louie and Diana , a newborn . I enjoyed talking to Peter as he was full of knowledge. He read the N.Y. Times cover to cover , loved his home and nature, was athletic and healthy.
My heart goes out to Betsey, Margit, Ray, and Peter’s sisters and his Mother, Jean. Rest In Peace dear Peter with the Angels and I pray you and Larry , Blair’s Dad , are together in heaven .
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The family of Peter Charles Weinberg uploaded a photo
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
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