Philip F. W. Peck, age 92 of Avon died on May 10, 2011. Philip resided in West Hartford for 34 years prior to moving to Simsbury and then Avon. Born in 1919, in Chicago, IL, he was a direct descendant of Philip F. W. Peck, one of the first settlers of Chicago. He grew up in Lake Forest, IL and attended the Hotchkiss School and then, Yale University, Class of 1941. While at Yale, he was involved with numerous clubs and societies, one of his favorite being, The Yale Dramat of which he was President his senior year. He joined Pan Am Airways in West Africa where he was involved in the then, little known, PAA-Africa, Ltd, helping to ready the U.S. for its eventual World War II involvement. In 1942, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific. In 1945, he married Mary Elizabeth Bennett, also of Chicago. In 1950, they moved to West Hartford and soon thereafter, fell in love with Fishers Island, NY, where he owned a summer home for over 50 years.
He enjoyed a career first at The Travelers, and later at several other companies, in public relations, advertising and real estate. Always true to his great love of song and dance, Phil could recite the lyrics of most any Broadway tune and without the slightest provocation, would break out into song for the appropriate event. His equally loved joy was the ocean whether snorkeling in the Caribbean, around the Rocks at Fishers or in later years, just taking his walker and going down to the beach.
Phil is survived by his son, Philip and wife, Sandra of Concord, MA; daughter Pamela Peck of Simsbury, CT; son, Jeffrey and wife, Abigale of Grosse Point, MI; daughter, Elizabeth Dellavecchia and husband, John of North Salem, NY and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary of Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Ave. Hartford. Burial will be at the families convenience in his beloved Fishers Island. Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241- 7005.
