Obituary

Peter R.L. Sexton, obituary

Fri, 12/14/2012 - 6:45pm

HOPE — Peter Richard Lord Sexton died Dec. 8, 2012, at home in Hope after a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 30, 1942, he was the son of Richard H.L. and Joan F.N. (Blake) Sexton. He was a graduate of Chestnut Hill Academy and the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a degree in architecture.

In 1963, Peter married Esther Emlen Page and they settled in Philadelphia, where Peter worked for the architecture firm of Hatfield, Martin and White. He was part of the team that designed the state-of-the-art reptile house at the Philadelphia Zoo. He later worked for Benjamin Martin Associates.

In 1973 he moved with his family to Camden, where he started Maine Technical Industries Inc. with his life-long friend, Sam Tibbetts. He and his wife later owned Coastal Data Inc. He was a life-long inventor, uniquely creative thinker, raconteur, serious car enthusiast and a true gentleman.

Peter's memberships included the Megunticook Golf Club, Camden Yacht Club, Rittenhouse Club of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Cricket Club, and Wissahicken Skating Club of Philadelphia.

He served on the planning board for the town of Hope; and was a trustee of The Community School in Camden and Mid-Coast Mental Health. He was also a member of several nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia.

Peter is survived by his wife of 49 years, Esther Page Sexton; his sister, Felicity Bowditch and her husband, Jim, of Camden; his daughters, Elizabeth Klebe and her husband, Kurt, of Falmouth, Catherine Sexton and her husband, Jeffrey Walker, of Falmouth, and Mary Unruh and her husband, Chuck, of Carlisle, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Ben and Nate Klebe, Sam, Tom and Will Walker, and Sarah, Emily and Anna Unruh; his sister-in-law, Cary Page of Takoma Park, Md.; his brother-in-law, Shippen Page and his wife, Anne St. Goar, of Cambridge, Mass.; his AFS son, Douglas Graham and his family of New York City; several cousins; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 5, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Camden, 55 Elm St. in Camden with the Rev. Kevin Pleas officiating. A reception at the church will follow.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Peter's memory be made to The Community School of Camden, 79 Washington St., Camden, ME 04843 or Kno-Wal-Lin Home Health Care and Hospice, 169 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the Sexton family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Camden.