Peter William Grimm, Sr.

     Peter William Grimm, Sr., age 86, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2023, in his beloved family home, Grey Rocks, in Egg Harbor, WI. 

     Although Peter and his wife Nancy spent their summers at Grey Rocks, they primarily resided in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they raised four children, instilling in them a great love for sailing and the water. In his prime, Peter was regarded as a great helmsman and yachtsman with few equals. Peter learned to sail at an early age and developed extraordinary skills which enabled him to race across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and to capture many of yachting's most revered trophies including winning the Chicago-Mackinac Race, the Bayview Port Huron-Mackinac Race and the Annapolis-Newport Race. His 72’ sailboat Escapade earned the nickname “Queen of the Lakes” proving five times to be unbeatable in the Bayview Port Huron - Mackinac race. He also enjoyed power boating on Green Bay in his two antique Chris Crafts.

     Peter, a yacht broker by trade, was highly regarded in the marine industry and a mentor to many. Peter shared his love for and commitment to sailing through his long-standing membership with the Lauderdale Yacht Club (LYC) where he proudly served as Commodore (1980-81). He participated on the club’s race committees and was heavily involved in the race committees of the annual Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC). He was devoted to the future of the sport of sailing and encouraged his children to do the same. Peter was also a proud member of the prestigious New York Yacht Club, the Storm Trysail Club, and the Cruising Club of America.

     When Peter was not on the water, he took to the air having learned to fly as a youth and became a licensed pilot shortly thereafter. During the summer months, he regularly flew from Florida to Wisconsin in his twin engine Beechcraft, buzzing over the family home, noting to all his arrival, and then landing in a local field. Peter was a long time member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and a lifetime member of the secretive aviation society, Quiet Birdmen.

     His commitment to family and friends rose above everything and he lovingly was called “Pops”, “Papa Shoes” and “Mr. Friendly” by those around him. He will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

     Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Carl William Grimm and Harriet Ethel Hobbins; his stepmother, Mary Elizabeth Bowman; his step-brother, Charles Bowman, and his beloved wife of 66 years, Nancy Lasselle Grimm.

     Peter is survived by his children, Peter William Grimm, Jr., Karyn Grimm Herndon (Eric), Leslie Ann Grimm (Michael Shelton), and Laurence Scott Grimm (Courtney); his grandchildren, Peter III (Alex), Julia, Bailey, Carl (Janna), Stuart (Jamie), William, Hannah, Sarah and Emma; his great-grandchildren, Peter IV, Thorson, Everett, Cassidy, Brooks and Sheridan; and his niece, Erica Lasselle McElhaney (Ken).

     Peter will be laid to rest in the family plot in Blossomberg Cemetery, Peninsula State Park, in Fish Creek, Wisconsin in a private ceremony.

     The family wishes to thank the amazing staff at Unity Hospice of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin who were so wonderful in caring for Peter and his family during his final days.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Peter Grimm, Sr. to the Lauderdale Yacht Club Sailing Foundation at www.LYCSF.org/donate.

     Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Peter may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

     "Eight Bells and Godspeed, Peter!"

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