Peter James Burtch, devoted husband, loving father, baby brother, and honorable friend passed away at home surrounded by family and friends in the home he built and loved in Barnard, Vermont on Wednesday, December 9th, 2015. Heartbreak and relief have flooded the hearts of those lucky enough to have shared a Coors Light, a chocolate chip cookie, a brownie or many a laugh with Peter.

As a force of good nature, playfulness and love, Peter will forever be remembered as the fun, interesting and ever interested confidant. Bound by his word on a handshake, Peter was as comfortable at the helm of his sailboat as he was at the business end of a table saw, the throttle of his Ducati, or ripping down the edge of Superstar at Killington in his distinct and flawless slalom form. A true renaissance man, Peter's nephews long tried to convince him to host a 'man camp' where Peter could bestow his eloquent blend of mechanical competence, creativity and confidence before sending them back to their wives as "real men."

Peter was notably shy growing up in Montreal and Chicago, but in the small intimate towns he would eventually call home, he flourished. While still a man of chosen words, he wouldn't hesitate to offer an unsolicited "Good morning!" or "How are you?" to any stranger that caught his eye; his children were always entertained when he distributed the same good tidings to the befuddled residents of New York, Waterloo or Bangkok. If you were lucky enough to pass "stranger-status" his first impression of you was founded on the firmness of your handshake, but your relationship would be built on strong embraces and cheek kisses.

Peter was born November 19, 1947 in Montreal. He is an alumnus of McGill University where he pursued a degree in agriculture at Macdonald College. With an eye for design and a passion for photography he funded his education through an early career in advertising. After graduation, he married the girl from across the park and they moved to Ontario to pursue a familial career in agriculture. They made their home on Dunscaith Farm and at its peak he was shepherd to a herd of 300 sheep roaming a little drumlin in Omemee, Ontario.

Peter, Jan and family found Woodstock by accident and vacationed here for many years before making an opportunity to build a home for their family in the mountains. As the proprietor of the Chocolate Cow Peter loved to spend his hours after work making ice creams for the kids in town, dipping anything and everything in chocolate, and of course, thwarting the best efforts of the meter maids by filling the parking meters along Central and Elm.

Peter is survived by his wife Jan of 38 years, three children Chris (Fouzia) of Hoboken, Heather (Rin) of Bangkok, and Owen (Michelle) of Kitchener, grandchildren Emma and Orion, his sister Susan (Tom), 3 nephews and their families, his brother in law/college roommate Ross (Geraldine) and all who had the good fortune to know him.

A remembrance celebration of his wonderful life will take place in 2016.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Gift of Hope at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH. This gift will support innovative research and important patient services. http://cancer.dartmouth.edu/dv/support_gift_of_hope.html