FERRISBURGH, Vt. — Peter T. VanWoert passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2012, in the Helen Porter Rehabilitation and Health Care Unit in Middlebury, following a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Peter was born on Oct. 27, 1941, in Oneonta, son of John L. VanWoert and Harriet Byard VanWoert. He attended the Bugbee School and Oneonta Junior-Senior High Schools, graduating in the Class of 1960. He also completed a post-graduate year at the Manlius Military Academy in Manlius. He attended Baldwin Wallace College and State University College of Oneonta.

Peter enlisted in the United States Army in the fall of 1963, and served in the military police in post-war Korea followed by a deployment to Vietnam, where he distinguished himself and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for exceptional performance.
Following his honorable discharge, Peter was employed for several years at the Weeks School in Vergennes; working with troubled and delinquent youth. He moved back to Oneonta in 1973, where he operated Brackett's Book Store for several years with his brother David. After the closing of Bracketts's, Peter lived in Florida for several years operating a small landscaping and property management business. Returning to Oneonta in 1986, Peter was involved with the operation of the Oneonta Oil & Fuel Company. After the sale of the business, Peter pursued other interests until his retirement in 1999, dividing his time between Englewood, Fla., and Ferrisburgh. When his health condition limited his ability to travel, he established permanent residency in Ferrisburgh in 2009.

Peter's immediate survivors are his sister, Janet Cole and her husband, Carl of Ferrisburgh; brother, David of Las Vegas; nephews, Rod "Doc" Cole and wife, Kelli of Ferrisburgh, John and his companion, Tricia Danyow of Ferrisburgh; very special grandniece, Shannon Lane Cole; cousins, Win and Sandy VanWoert of Harpursville; nieces, Nancy VanWoert of New Jersey and Dianne VanWoert of New York. Peter also enjoyed the enduring friendship of Scott Lynk, Bill and Sue Connor, Greg Clark, Scott Brace, Nick and JoAnn Necrasen and Dwayne "Dee" and Mary Hathaway.

At Peter's request, there will be no calling hours or service. Interment will be at the family's convenience in Oneonta.

For those who wish, contributions may be made in Peter's memory to the Addison County Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 754 Middlebury, VT 05753.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.lhpfuneralhome.com

The Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta, is assisting the family