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Peter Thomas Gately of Branford died on Sept. 4 at Yale New Haven Hospital, a day after turning 96. He was the husband of the late Carole Ford. Peter was born Sept. 3, 1925, in Fall River, Massachusetts, son of the late Peter and Blanche Sansouci Gately. He spent his early years in Holyoke and Lenox, Massachusetts.

Peter was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, serving as a sonar operator on convoy duty. He received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees in education from Boston College. He was a math teacher at Branford High School from 1953 to 1973, after which he went to New Hampshire, fulfilling his dream of designing and constructing houses. He built four houses by himself using no power tools. While in New Hampshire, he also worked as a logger. Returning to Branford in 1990, Peter became an avid sailor. He enjoyed refurbishing old sailboats and spent many hours on Long Island Sound. He dedicated much of his time to caring for homeless animals. He was a member of the Branford Compassion Club.

Peter is survived by his stepchildren Karen Ford Anderson, James Ford (Ranie), Bill Ford, Chris Ford (Reene), John Ford (Jackie), and Jody Ford; grandchildren Emily, Aleksa, Caitlyn, John, Elizabeth, and Sarah Anderson and Samantha, Jimmy, Hannah, Luke, Gracie, Alexandra, and Rebecca Ford; and great-grandson Ryan. He is also survived by his adoring dog, Annie.

His funeral left the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford, on Sept. 9 for a Mass of Christian burial in St. John Bosco Parish at St. Mary Church, Branford. Burial was private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Branford Compassion Club, 2037 Foxon Road, North Branford, CT 06471 or to St. John Bosco Parish, 731 Main Street, Branford, CT 06405. For his online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.