W. Peter Lind ’50

W. Peter Lind of West Hartford, CT passed away peacefully on June 10, 2021 at
the age of 95. He was the son of the late William N. Lind and Alberta
Loftus Lind. He was born and raised in eastern Long Island, graduating from Greenport
High School in 1943. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II, mostly in
the North Atlantic. After the war he attended the University of Connecticut on a
basketball scholarship, graduating in 1950. He married a classmate, Carolyn Vibert,
shortly after graduation with whom he enjoyed 70 years of marriage. He was employed
by Aetna Life and Casualty for 35 years, serving in many areas the country. Peter retired
in 1987 as Vice President in the Casualty Division. Peter’s retirement years, 34 in all,
were filled with adventure. In May 1987 he and his wife sailed from their homeport of
Stonington, Connecticut to the Mediterranean on their sailing yacht, Rainbow. What
was supposed to be just a short time cruising the Med turned out to be an extended six
year sail around the world. Upon their return to Connecticut they found sailing no
longer as challenging as their circumnavigation and deciding to keep their feet on the
ground took up hiking, joining a hiking club in the UK. The next ten or so years were
spent hiking in Wales, Scotland, England and Italy, often with members of the family. In
his later years Peter enjoyed riverboat cruises on the Snake and Columbia rivers as well
as the Mississippi. Peter was certainly a member of the greatest generation. He believed
in giving back and did so well into his eighties. He was an active member of First
Church, West Hartford for many years. Other community activities included the local
Veterans War Memorial Committee and various UConn Alumni Boards. He chaired the
West Hartford Senior Citizens commission and was an active member of the Old Guard.
Never one to give up, Peter was still playing tennis when he was ninety years old. Peter
was blessed with a long and active life, good health, a loving family and a strong will to
keep life’s adventures going forward. When signs of dementia set in he kept to his usual
routines, coping amazingly well, never complaining, and enjoying whatever was at hand.
We are so lucky to have had him in our lives. Peter leaves behind his wife, Carolyn and
four children, Claire Lind of Glastonbury, Bill Lind and his wife Lydia of Houston, Texas,
Joanne Lind of West Hartford and Susanne Pakele and her husband, Darrell of Hilo,
Hawaii. He was a loving grandfather to Anuenue Baker Kukona and his husband,
Michael Baker Kukona , Lindsay Kukona Pakele and her husband Brandon Makaawaawa,
and Lexi Lind. His grandson, Chris Lind, predeceased him. Peter also leaves behind three
great grandchildren, Jade, Blaise and Locke. He also leaves behind his sister, Ann Heap
and her husband, Peter Heap of London and a niece, Patty Kinney and her husband,
Michael Kinney of Montauk, N.Y. His sister, Marjory Bellefountaine predeceased him.