Obituary of Peter F. Woodbury
Peter F. Woodbury, 57, of Woodstock, CT. passed away peacefully at home, with his dog Harley on his lap, surrounded by his extended EMS family and very close friends, on August 10,2024. Peter is the son of the late Robert W. Woodbury and Natalie E. (Johnson) Woodbury. Peter was predeceased by his loving wife Penny (Hebert) Woodbury on September 19,2015.
Peter was born on January 16, 1967 at Hahneman hospital in Worcester, MA. He attended Pakachoag Elementary in Auburn, MA., Worcester Central Catholic and St. Peter Marian class of 1985. Peter joined the Auburn Fire Department in Auburn MA. In 1983 serving until 1993. He attended the Massachusetts Fire Academy Recruit Class # 94, graduating in 1991. Peter worked at the Worcester Airport Police/Crash Fire Rescue, Worcester, MA. from 1988-1991. He then joined The Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services, Fort Devens Fire Department, Devens, MA. 1992-1993, South Weymouth Naval Air Station, Weymouth, MA. 1993-1997, Submarine Base Fire Department, Groton, CT. 1997-2017. On September 11, 2011 Peter was promoted from Firefighter to Captain. Peter retired in 2017 from the Submarine Base Fire Department, Groton, CT. in 2017. Peter accomplished many training certificates, awards, government citations, and presented with his American flag during his retirement farewell. Peter was captivated by history, especially his own. He researched his family’s ancestry back to 1624, when they came to the United States from England. Peter’s family fought on the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides”. When “Old Ironsides” was docked at the Groton Submarine Base, Peter received permission to have his retirement American flag flown on “Old Ironsides”, receiving a State of Connecticut citation. Peter’s love of history led him down the path to become a Revolutionary War re-enactor. He joined the Roger Rangers re-enactment group. He was contacted by many groups and schools to teach people about the Revolutionary War Era. Peter also had a love for the outdoors, from kayaking to scuba diving and camping. He was able to go see his friend Andy Willey, in Nevada, camping outside the back gate of Area 51. He also loved going to Karen Swanburg’s horse farm to visit her therapy minis at Cherry Ledge Farm. His last kayaking trip was with his friend Allyson Colburn and her dog Payson. Somehow on that trip Peter ended up with Payson on his kayak. It was a memorable day. In 2013 Peter met his true love Penny through a mutual friend, Chris Wootton. They enjoyed spending time together whether it was road trips on their Harleys or Pennys Mustang. They were engaged in May 2015 and married in June 2015. Peter would bring Penny to Pond Factory to teach her to Scuba Dive in preparation for their Jamaican Honeymoon, unfortunately they never got there because of her death. Peter retired in June 2017 due to the loss of Penny. He lost his beloved dog Cholo in Nov. 2021 and his dog Harley has taken up position as favorite.
On August 5, 2024 Peter was discharged home from the hospital on Hospice care. His good friend Kelley moved in, to take care of him and Harley. On Peter’s final day, he was surrounded with love by his friends, Kelley, John, Allyson, his paranormal friends Tom, Arlene, and Susan plus his extended EMS family from the Subbase in Groton, CT and Auburn, Ma. Fire departments.
The Colburn’s have supported and been there for Peter since he was diagnosed with end stage Renal failure in 2019.When Peter was in the hospital, Harley would go to the Colburn’s with their Shepherds for playdates. Now, Harley lives with them. Peter is survived by the Colburn family, his step daughter Nichole Richards, step grandchildren Fiona and Nora of Brookfield, Ma. His son Connor Woodbury of Worcester, MA and his daughter Catrice Woodbury of Palmer, Ma. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to The National Kidney Foundation or to your local Fire Dept. A celebration of Life for Peter will be held at Pond Factory in Woodstock, CT on October 25th at 5pm. Blessed Be Peter and Penny!