Peter Blatchford

Peter was born in New Bedford on February 19, 1932, a son of the late Lawrence Blatchford and Elizabeth Howland Baker Blatchford. Peter grew up on Seventh Street with his brother John and attended New Bedford High School and Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. It was during this time that he met Sarah, the love of his life, whom he married in 1954. After Peter served his country for two years in the U.S. Army at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, Peter and Sarah moved to Langhorne, Pennsylvania, for several years, and then moved to South Dartmouth, where they lived for the past 64 years.

Peter started his career working for the Insurance Company of North America. After several years, he set out on his own, forming the Peter Blatchford Company, a specialty food and confection brokerage company representing many national and international brands. During his more than 50-year career as a broker, Peter and Sarah made many enduring friendships with his customers and industry colleagues, frequently meeting at “food show” conventions across the country. Peter delighted his children, and later his grandchildren, when occasionally bringing them to the annual “Candy Show” when it was in New York or Boston.

Peter was a third-generation member of the New Bedford Port Society, serving as Secretary (succeeding his father) for almost two decades. After serving as First Vice President, Peter was elected as President, succeeding his dear friend, the late Dr. Charles W. Fairfax. He also served as Cemetery Commissioner for the Town of Dartmouth for many years. Peter and Sarah were both active members in the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth.

Peter loved adventure, introducing his children and grandchildren to the joys of boating and fishing on Buzzard’s Bay and the backwoods of Maine’s Katahdin region. Later in life, Peter and Sarah enjoyed a number of trips to Europe, Asia and New Zealand. One of his favorite trips was to Borneo with his brother John. Peter delighted his children and grandchildren with a wonderful sense of humor and his most remarkable ability to identify things of interest, joy and wonder virtually everywhere he looked. And he inspired them by his eagerness to give back by helping friends and acquaintances through difficult times, such as the loss of a family member or helping them to cope with the challenges of addiction.

Surviving Peter are his brother John and his partner Christy Coombs of Orrington, Maine; his six children and their spouses: Dorothy Brown Blatchford Jenkins and husband Geoffrey of South Dartmouth; Peter Douglass Blatchford and wife Martha of New Gloucester, ME; David Lawrence Blatchford and partner Debra Menard of South Dartmouth; William Howland Blatchford and wife Marian of Sharon, MA; Susan Lord Blatchford of Hinsdale, IL and John Tyler Blatchford and wife Donna of Glen Ellyn, IL; eighteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and four adored nieces. Peter was pre-deceased by his beloved wife Sarah, his parents and by many dear friends. The family extends their deepest appreciation to Bernice “Bunny” Sylvia and the rest of the incredible team of dedicated and compassionate caregivers for the loving care given to Peter.

A memorial service to celebrate Peter’s life will be held at the Seaman’s Bethel in New Bedford and is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the New Bedford Port Society, to the New Bedford Historical Society, or to the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust.

Arrangements are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth.