Peter Anthony Cloutier
October 14, 1946 ~ April 19, 2023
Resided in:
South Portland, Maine
South Portland- Peter Anthony Cloutier, 76, of South Portland, ME died unexpectedly on 4/19/23 at the family farm on Fickett St.
Born 10/14/46, the son of L. Virginia and Jerome C. Cloutier. Pete was one of 12 siblings of the Ferry Village Cloutier Clan. Dad had many fond memories that he often reminisced with countless family and friends. Pistol attended Cheverus High School where he excelled in athletics while also being known to have a mischievous side, just ask his wife. Dad continued his education at Maine Maritime Academy. Years later he was appointed to the MMA Board of Trustees. Following a six-year run in the Merchant Marines sailing the world, Pistol returned home. He worked as a phone technician at New England Telephone Company while starting a beautiful family of three wonderful children with his teenage sweetheart Christine Garvin. Pistol would eventually retire to the family farm in 2008.
Pistol represented the constituents of South Portland in the Maine State Legislature in the 109th, 116th, and 117th sessions, where he advocated for education and the blue collar worker.
Post retirement, Dad enjoyed many years at the farm tending to the land and home improvement projects that never seemed to end. One of his proudest accomplishments was the renovation of the master bedroom which was featured in a major home improvement publication.
Pete and Chris hosted many events at the farm including political fundraisers, reunions, weddings, and impromptu gatherings around the infamous pistol fire pit.
Pistol will always be remembered for his devotion to his family. He is survived by his best friend and beloved wife of 55 years, Christine, their three loving children and spouses Gretchen L. Cloutier, John "B.J." (April) Cloutier, and David J. (Anna) Cloutier and their "lucky 7" grandchildren; Molly and Eric Walker, Jack and Seth Cloutier, and Isabela, Olivia and Camden Cloutier, whom he spent countless hours at the farm enjoying tractor rides, rope swings, and time in "Meku", the modified shed for Didos' grandchildren.
Pete is survived by many friends whom he considered family, extended family and everyone else who was fortunate enough to cross paths with "The Pistol". Dad, Pistol, Pete, Dido will be dearly missed. But as he would say, we must:
"Keep A Goin'...Sail on...Sail on."
Visiting hours celebrating Pete’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Graveside Services will be private. To view Pete’s memorial page, or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
Memorial donations may be made in Pete's memory to the South Portland Food Cupboard, 130 Thadeus Street, South Portland, ME 04106
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To Petes family: I will always remember Peter having a smile on his face. He lit-up the phone garage every day. A real gem . May you all find peace in knowing how much he was respected by co-workers
I will miss you so much Peter. You left an incredible mark on your time with us and wherever you go I have no doubt you have entered loving shores my friend.
I have known Pete since high school. I remember him then and remember him now, he remained that wonderful guy with an incredible light and ferocious appetite for giving back to his family, his friends and his community
Salt of the Earth, special, kind, loving guy.
Pistol’s Toast: from Irish Proverb
“ There are good ships, and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, May they always be.”
To the whole Cloutier Family, please accept my deepest condolences and prayers for your loss. I met Pistol Pete at Cheverus in 1963/64, when I was a manager for the varsity football team. He and I worked together one summer tending masons. I will never forget what a great time that was. I was glad to receive a FB friend request from him. He really was someone to look up to. He had a positive effect on me. R.I.P. Pistol Pete
Pete Cloutier was a legend at the phone company. Always cheerful and on the verge of cracking a joke. He could cover topics ranging from high level politics to modern music and always had something interesting to add. Just a great guy to have on the team. Condolences to the family. RIP Pete.
I am very sorry to learn of Pete’s passing. He was an amazing, wonderful man. He loved his family so much and he treated his friends like family. He has left an incredible legacy for his children and grandchildren. Rest in peace, Pete. We love you.
Dad you always offered a shoulder to lean on. Will miss you forever!
Ed &Jenny are so sad to hear about the passing of Pete. Our prayers are with you all. His memories will forever live in our community.
So sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He was a good neighbor and friend to my brother and a fun and welcoming host when we would visit. – Gayle Petersen
Dido’s ability to brighten anyone’s day, his welcoming nature, was unlike anything I have ever seen before. I am forever thankful and fortunate that I got to know him as my grandfather.
From the days we drove to Lewiston together to work, to all the years at Davis Farm Road and numerous storm outages around New England, there was no one more fun to work with than Pete. Whatever the size and scope of a cable failure. you knew that if you didn’t know what to do, Pete would, and however hard it may be, we would have fun. I remember working near Sturbridge Mass after a Nor’easter and a fellow who had a small restaurant stopped and invited a number of us to eat after we finished. It was just a great time, and after we were seated Pete started talking to everyone in the place like we were all old friends, what a great memory. At a get together last summer Pete said “you know if we got together every day I don’t think we would run out of stories to tell,” and there are so many of them. We just spoke a few weeks ago and were looking forward to a breakfast at Becky’s this summer, and I am so sad that it won’t happen. I love you Pistol, and will always remember you. My condolences to Chris and the “kids.”
Condolences to Mrs. Cloutier, Gretchen, BJ and. Dave. Pistol was loved by so many and will be missed. Love to you all. Joe, Krista, Griffin, Lydia and Stella Henderson
I have added the Pistol’s family to my Daily Prayers. It is never a good time to loose a family member or friend. Gob Bless Christine and family.
Rev. John Townsend
Pete and I played Basketball and football – pick up games. He was a great guy and I will miss the Pistol
To the wholw Cloutier family, It is a hloe in my heart that Peter Cloutier passed. I will miss him a lot. Gretchen was Lauren field hockey coach. And peter was always part of the Tully house hold. He felt like a brother to Paul Tully best buddies. And we were neighbors for a long time. I new Pete for a long time. I will miss him a lot. Since I was 6 years old. I new all the kids and went to all the kids weddings in the Cloutier back yard. My dad was Pauly pancakes and pistol Pete. I loved Pete . I grew up with Pete and loved pete hugs. Take care Pete and hope to see you again. Love Kristen I wet to school with david cloutier. I will miss you a lot. Tully
Pete was larger than life. He had the biggest heart and always made you feel like family. I will miss that wonderful smile and laugh. Forever Remembered, Forever Missed Sail on Pistol. ❤️Lorrie,Rob,Kyla and Dylan
My sincerest sympathy to the Cloutier Family and Pete’s Friends…May your memories’ hold you in this time of sorrow.
Pete was always funny when he was visiting Adams Street 🙂
Friend of the Feeney Family and the Methot Family.
He was always willing to lend a hand. I cant think of a time he wasnt
His positive outlook on life.
Seeing him out on his tractor doing yard work.
His kindness and his infectious smile.
He was larger than life!
Holy Cross Grammer school. The many antics of Pete and the boys.
On the bright side, someone else can finally win a cribbage game!
Thank you Uncle Pete for the love you have shown everyone you come in contact with. You will be missed so much!
Chris and Family,
Our deepest sympathies for the loss of a great man and loving husband, father, grandfather and loyal and faithful friend for nearly 70 years. RIP Pistol,
Pete And Collette
Dear Chris and Family,
It was an honor to have known Pete both as a human being and as great working-class representative.
Sorry for you loss which is shared by many.
Peter Kellman
It was nice to have someone around that could be so upbeat and positive. I appreciated his support of Maine workers and his great smile, all the time. So sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. Sending all my best to Chris and the entire family. – Rich Cantz
To the entire Cloutier family I sincerely apologize for this terrible loss, my thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
INHAVE KNOWN PETER SINCE OUT CHILDHOOD. HE WAS A CARING AND WARM PERSON. WE’LL MISS YOU FOR OUR LIVES
HE WAS FUNNY AND A GREWT FATHER.
My condolences to friends and family
Met in High School. I was in Christine’s class at Cathedral High.
Dear Chris and family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Pete was a wonderful person and always smiling and kind to everyone. Sending my love and my deepest sympathy to you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ❤
The picture of Pete on his John Deere tractor brought back so many memories for us. We remember delivering it to his house, with all the attachments, he was like a kid in a candy store. Oh boy, I have a new toy, can’t wait to use it, and boy he did. He also bought our truck. Steve and I both had the pleasure of working with Pistol, we both thought we was kind, and not much upset him, a real gentleman at work.
Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time
Miss you, Pistol! You will remain forever one-o-a-kind.
Love to Chris, BJ, Gretchen, David, and all the grand kids.
Steve and Anne
MARINERS PRAYER
Jesus is my pilot,
His course is straight and true,
He steers me from the shallows,
From reefs and ledges too.
He guides my every sailing,
His kindness leads the way,
With his hand he calms the tempest,
And he listens when I pray.
For his presence I am thankful,
When awake or fast asleep,
He returns me safe to homeland,
From the perils of the deep.
I stand my watch with courage,
And await his call afar,
For I know he’ll not desert me,
When I cross that final bar.
Always a friend.
What a terrible loss for the family and the community. Peter knew everyone and treated us all like family. I’m so sorry for your heartbreak 💔. It’s always painful to lose someone you love, but when it’s sudden and unexpected it’s especially hard.
Roger and I are in SC so can’t be at the wake. Please know we’re holding all of you in our prayers and heart! God bless you Pete, and your family🙏
My husband Terry always told wonderful, funny stories about Peter’s adventures. They worked together at the phone company. Condolences to you all.
Warmest regards,
Susan Landry