Peter L. Appleby

With his family by his side, Peter Laurence Appleby passed away unexpectedly on June 28, 2025 at the age of 82 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Born on December 17, 1942, in London, Peter grew up on Salisbury Road with his mum Alice, his dad John and his sister Joyce. He often told stories of his dog Roger, his wartime evacuation with a Mickey Mouse gas mask to the countryside as London was being bombed, and trips to visit his Geordie relatives in Newcastle via motorcycle with sidecar. He graduated from Reading University with a degree in Mathematics and Physics.

Shortly after graduating, Peter moved to South Africa where he worked for Glacier Bearings and met his first wife, the late Elizabeth Robertson. Later they returned to London where he began his career at Gillette. It was during this time that his children Mark and Marcia were born. In 1968, the family made the transatlantic move to America aboard the SS France and settled in Old Rexhame. Later, Peter met and married Betsy Ebinger and they had four more daughters, Rebecca, the late Amanda, Miranda and Lucy. He spent the next 38 years as a Purchasing Manager at Gillette in South Boston, retiring in 2004. Peter and Betsy would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August.

Peter loved his family and home on Pudding Hill Lane, which became the heart of his world-a place shared with family and friends, filled with laughter, stories, and comfort. He loved his house overlooking Chandler Mill Pond where he watched the birds and especially enjoyed Henry the Heron. He was there for his children and grandchildren's milestones, big and small. Peter cherished the traditional annual Appleby family vacations when everyone could be together under one roof creating memories. He embraced condo life and loved skiing at Sunday River. Coaching and watching his children's and grandchildren's sports was a passion. Peter had a playful spirit, especially with his grandchildren-joining in their games, telling stories, and creating characters.

Peter's many interests included traveling, cars, music, movies, and watching sports, especially the Olympics or a Premier League football match. A lifelong tennis player, he later took up golf, and in retirement, discovered new passions in pickleball and sailing. One of his most memorable adventures was walking across England with Betsy, from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life.

Peter, Dad, Granddad, we will miss you. Your stories, your love, your presence will live on in all of us.

Peter was the beloved husband of Betsy V. (Ebinger) Appleby; dear father of Mark (Michelle) Appleby of Cohasset, Marcia (Peter) McDonald of Needham, Rebecca (Joseph) Shumbata of Hingham, Miranda (Michael) Berrada of Norwell, Lucy (Sean) Theriault of Duxbury and the late Amanda Appleby; cherished grandfather of Ian and Justin Appleby, Isabelle, Grace, and, Annie McDonald, Ruby Shumbata, Tessa and Sarah Berrada, and Quinn and Zoey Theriault. He was the former husband of the late Elizabeth (Robertson) Appleby. Son of the late John T. and Alice (Coles) Appleby, he was brother of the late Joyce Appleby Bennett. He leaves his niece, Samantha Stevens of Wales, and many cousins in the UK.