Jack Peet, born 23 June 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Doris “Stevie” and Jack Peet, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love and craftsmanship. As the eldest of five cherished children, Jack’s early years were marked by warmth and adventure, particularly during the family’s time at Camp Peary shortly after World War II.
In 1947, Jack began his educational journey at Walsingham Academy, where he graduated in 1959. He then pursued his passion for the arts at William & Mary, earning a bachelor’s degree in fine arts for playwriting in 1965. After a brief period serving in the Air Force, Jack dedicated two years to teaching fifth grade in Newport News before making his mark as the editor of Construction Magazine in Washington, D.C. His stories of life in the nation’s capital during the late 1960s were always captivating.
Returning to Williamsburg in the mid-1970s, Jack joined his father in the family masonry business, eventually founding Jack Peet Masonry, Inc. He devoted the next forty years to the restoration of 17th and 18th-century buildings across Virginia and Eastern North Carolina, passionately sharing the tales of each chimney and wall he worked on.
In 2002, Jack married Jill, and together they welcomed two wonderful children, Jack and India. He cherished his family deeply, taking immense pride in his late-in-life role as a father.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Jill; his son, Jack; his daughter, India; his sister, Regina Collins; his brother, Carl Peet (Carol); ten nieces and nephews; and ten great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Anne, and his brother Cary.
A gifted storyteller and skilled craftsman, Jack had a remarkable ability to connect with people and an unwavering love for animals and nature. His appreciation for beauty in all things will be fondly remembered. Jack’s absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew him.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Sunday, May 18th, at Roswell Plantation in Gloucester, Virginia.
