Peter L. Bleau's Obituary
Peter L. Bleau, 83, son of Carl and Mary Anhel Bleau, died on Saturday, May 16. Born in Ilion, New York, he graduated from Mohawk High School in 1960, earned degrees from Union College in 1964 and the University of New Hampshire in the 1980s, and spent much of his life as an educator. He was a longtime English teacher at South Lewis Central School, where he championed “reading like a writer,” considering how stories are constructed while reading. Later in his career he nurtured and mentored other teachers at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES. Peter lived in Chippewa Bay, New York, in the Thousand Islands during the summer and in Southwest Florida during the winter. He visited Maui, Hawaii nearly every year for decades.
Peter was passionate about carpentry and construction, devoting many summers to building his waterfront home from scratch. Perched between two rock outcroppings, its plate glass sliders overlook the majestic St. Lawrence River sunsets. He remodeled several houses and completed countless home improvement projects for family members.
He loved boating, owning many (always second- or third-hand) sailboats, classic wooden inboards, and peppy power boats over his lifetime. A proud captain, he hosted college friends, family reunions, bachelorette parties, and more – often on his cherished “floating living room,” a pontoon boat named “My Last Boat V.”
Peter loved cross-country skiing, taking his family on hundreds of beautiful “walks in the woods” throughout Central New York. He competed in the 31-mile Tug Hill Tourathon three times, successfully finishing each race.
He is survived by his wife, Sue St. Louis; his son, Kevin and wife Annie; his daughter, Darcy Bleau Etkin; his brother, Ken; two granddaughters, Helena and Carle; three stepchildren; four step-grandchildren; and his first wife, Caren Pepper.
No service is planned. Donations may be made to a favorite charity.
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