Nicholas “Nick” Peet
October 19th, 1936 - December 14th, 2022
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Nick's Obituary
Nicholas (Nick) Peet, 86, of St Joseph, MI died December 14, 2022. Nick was born to Nicholas Peet and Harrette (Remmington) Peet, on October 19, 1936 in Bridgton, N.J.; and had currently resided at the Whitcomb.
Proud of his Dutch heritage, his father Nicholas Peet, Sr., (Piet) and his Uncle Cornelius Cees Peet (Piet) came to the United States from Alkmaar, Netherlands. A historical landmark of their family, de Molen van Piet Windmill is on the banks of the local river. Nicholas and Cees became the U.S.’s largest importers and breeders of Gladiola flowers, inventing the varietals— Spic and Span, Beverly Ann, White Friendship, and Angel’s Tip. While young children, Nick and his two sisters, Marian and Marge worked on the Peet Bros. Farm, in Vineland NJ; during their summer vacation months.
Nick was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School and was a football enthusiast, playing center position while attending school there. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting with friends and family. He and his friends would travel to Saskatchewan, Canada for duck hunting every year for over a decade. One of his best friends developed ALS in the 1980’s and developed paralysis in his legs. Not allowing this to interfere with their camaraderie, Nick carried his friend on his back out to the fields so they could hunt together. His friend was the better duck caller, but Nick regarded himself as being the better shooter, and once brought down six ducks with only three shots. He had a beloved Springer Spaniel dog “Spence” who could retrieve ducks better than a National Field Trial Champion Black Lab at twice his size that would also be on those trips. They would comment “That damn dog doesn’t know he’s not a Black Lab!”. They cooked, made duck salami, told jokes and exchanged verbal banter, and grew younger with laughter as they grew old together.
Another memorable experience was when his son Eric was a contributing member to the University of Alabama’s Swimming and Diving Team, earning a Southeastern Conference Championship Title in 1981-82, and Nick was invited to Paul “Bear” Bryant’s personal hunting lodge for deer hunting.
Nick attended college at Notre Dame and became a pattern-maker and metal fabricator working alongside his father-in-law, Warren Lake in Benton Harbor, MI at Star Pattern Manufacturing Company. His co-workers would comment at how efficient he was with his work, “He could work circles around most other pattern makers.” they would say. He also remodeled and flipped houses on the side, and once recruited the St. Joseph swim team to help him re-roof one of his houses. It was a learning experience, and a lesson in work ethic, for those involved.
Survivors include his daughter, Vickie (Donald) Frazier; a son, Eric (Connie) Peet; a grandson, Jeffery Frazier; granddaughter, Jennifer (Jeremy) Tevis and several great-grandchildren. Other family members include; Gaye Harrison, a very dear second wife; her son, Chad; daughter, Heather and grandchild, Sophia. Nick was a compassionate person, who loved to bring humor and laughter to those around him. He will be dearly missed.
A memorial service will take place on December 29, 2022 at 1:30 PM with a visitation prior beginning at 1:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, in St Joseph, MI. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Paws of Hope or the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.
Nick’s ashes will be scattered at a private, undisclosed location at his request, summer 2023.
Proud of his Dutch heritage, his father Nicholas Peet, Sr., (Piet) and his Uncle Cornelius Cees Peet (Piet) came to the United States from Alkmaar, Netherlands. A historical landmark of their family, de Molen van Piet Windmill is on the banks of the local river. Nicholas and Cees became the U.S.’s largest importers and breeders of Gladiola flowers, inventing the varietals— Spic and Span, Beverly Ann, White Friendship, and Angel’s Tip. While young children, Nick and his two sisters, Marian and Marge worked on the Peet Bros. Farm, in Vineland NJ; during their summer vacation months.
Nick was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School and was a football enthusiast, playing center position while attending school there. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting with friends and family. He and his friends would travel to Saskatchewan, Canada for duck hunting every year for over a decade. One of his best friends developed ALS in the 1980’s and developed paralysis in his legs. Not allowing this to interfere with their camaraderie, Nick carried his friend on his back out to the fields so they could hunt together. His friend was the better duck caller, but Nick regarded himself as being the better shooter, and once brought down six ducks with only three shots. He had a beloved Springer Spaniel dog “Spence” who could retrieve ducks better than a National Field Trial Champion Black Lab at twice his size that would also be on those trips. They would comment “That damn dog doesn’t know he’s not a Black Lab!”. They cooked, made duck salami, told jokes and exchanged verbal banter, and grew younger with laughter as they grew old together.
Another memorable experience was when his son Eric was a contributing member to the University of Alabama’s Swimming and Diving Team, earning a Southeastern Conference Championship Title in 1981-82, and Nick was invited to Paul “Bear” Bryant’s personal hunting lodge for deer hunting.
Nick attended college at Notre Dame and became a pattern-maker and metal fabricator working alongside his father-in-law, Warren Lake in Benton Harbor, MI at Star Pattern Manufacturing Company. His co-workers would comment at how efficient he was with his work, “He could work circles around most other pattern makers.” they would say. He also remodeled and flipped houses on the side, and once recruited the St. Joseph swim team to help him re-roof one of his houses. It was a learning experience, and a lesson in work ethic, for those involved.
Survivors include his daughter, Vickie (Donald) Frazier; a son, Eric (Connie) Peet; a grandson, Jeffery Frazier; granddaughter, Jennifer (Jeremy) Tevis and several great-grandchildren. Other family members include; Gaye Harrison, a very dear second wife; her son, Chad; daughter, Heather and grandchild, Sophia. Nick was a compassionate person, who loved to bring humor and laughter to those around him. He will be dearly missed.
A memorial service will take place on December 29, 2022 at 1:30 PM with a visitation prior beginning at 1:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, in St Joseph, MI. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starksfamilyfh.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Paws of Hope or the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.
Nick’s ashes will be scattered at a private, undisclosed location at his request, summer 2023.
Service Details
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Additional Visitation Information
A visitation prior beginning at 1:00 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel.