SOUTH THOMASTON — Peter W. Ames, 56, died surrounded by his family at his home, Feb. 5, 2013, following a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Rockland Oct. 7, 1956, he was the son of Capt. Stuart T. Ames, II, and Doris O. Fogg Ames. At a young age he moved with his family to South Thomaston, where he attended local schools and was a 1975 graduate of Rockland District High School. Peter later attended Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, where he earned licensure as an able bodied seaman.

At the age of 12, Peter began lobstering off South Thomaston, and soon developed a passion for fishing, which kept him working even during his recent illness. His family said Peter would rather be working on his boat, the FV Twilight, than anywhere else.

On Oct. 7, 2000, he married his soul-mate and the love of his life, Deborah Ann Higgins, in South Thomaston.

Peter was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, who took great pleasure in harassing his grandchildren. Other than fishing, he enjoyed working with his tractor in the woods.

On Oct. 2, 2013, Peter was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community as more than 500 people turned out for a benefit supper in his honor.

Peter was pre-deceased by his father; and a brother, Stuart T. Ames III. He is survived by his wife Deborah; and his mother, Doris O. Fogg Ames, both of South Thomaston; his son, Jameson G. Ames and his girlfriend, Danielle Leavitt, of Spruce Head; one daughter, Andrea L. Bonzagni and her husband, William, of Rockland; one step-daughter, Amy C. Proulx and her boyfriend, Jordan Carter, of South Thomaston; a step-son, Jeffery S. Rogers and his girlfriend, Kriston Floyd, of Albion; two brothers, David F. Ames and his wife, Michelle, of South Thomaston and Daniel E. Ames and his companion, Sharon O'Brien, of Owls Head; a sister, Mary Ames of Rockland; a sister-in-law, Rose Ames Anderson of New Bern, N.C.; three grandchildren, Aidan, Max and Sean; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

An informal celebration of Peter's life will be held Friday, Feb. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. The Rev. John Richards will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dean Snell Memorial Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 104, Brunswick, ME 04011.

To share a memory or story with Peter's family, visit his online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.