Obituary: Peter L. Hargraves, 79; Formerly Of Madison

MADISON, CT — (Contributed): Peter Laurence Hargraves, 79, of Bryan, TX, formerly of Austin, TX, and Darien and Madison, CT, passed from this life on December 23, 2023 after a long struggle with ALS. He was taken care of at home for the last six years by his loving and devoted wife Barbara Krings Hargraves, formerly of Austin, TX.

Peter and Barbara married in 2016 in Austin. When the nature of Peter’s illness became apparent, they built a home in Bryan, TX suitable for caring for him. Barbara was tireless in her caregiving and through it all maintained humor and provided strength for Peter and for the whole family. Peter was a Vietnam veteran and the VA provided much life-giving support.

Peter had a long and colorful career in the banking industry. Born in Hartford, CT in 1944 and educated in Bristol, CT, he then attended college (first Dartmouth, then the University of New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1970. His senior year was interrupted in 1968 by a year of active duty in Vietnam. After college Peter joined the international department of Connecticut Bank and Trust in Hartford. He traveled frequently for the bank to Europe and Asia.

After a few years he was transferred to the bank’s international subsidiary in New York City, where he lived before moving to Darien, CT with his first wife Nancy Walton Hargraves where they raised their two daughters, Elisabeth and Emily, now residents of California. His foreign experience eventually led him to work for Danske Bank in New York, where he facilitated loans between Danish and American companies. Later in his career, he also worked for Webster Bank in Connecticut.

Peter was well known to the international community in New York and Copenhagen, and had many friends in both places. He was witty, friendly, and gregarious and always had a story or a joke to tell. In New York, he was a member of the Yale Club and the Downtown Club; and in Connecticut, the Middlesex Club and the Madison Winter Club. He maintained close friendships with his former colleagues in Hartford as well. Peter adored jazz and in his younger days was a gifted trombonist.

Peter skied fiercely, cooked passionately, and played golf with enthusiasm. He especially loved to cook and could often be found in the kitchen producing self-proclaimed masterpieces from his arsenal or the New York Times. He also played bridge and did crosswords all his life. He was a generous volunteer to civic organizations like the Darien Arts Council.

In addition to his wife and daughters, Peter leaves his twin brother John of New York and Lyme, CT and older brother Robert of Hanover, NH, their wives Nancy Newcomb and Ann Hargraves, and three nieces: Regan Belluche, Tara Oliver, and Kerry Kreppein, and their families in Massachusetts. Peter was carefully and respectfully cared for in his last years by the VA, Maxim Healthcare and Brazos Valley Hospice. Private funeral services will be held. Donations may be made to the ALS Society (www.als.org) in Peter’s name.