Fred Peters, boat-builder and marina owner, dies at 81

[jcollins]

Fred W.A. Peters, an entrepreneur whose marina and boatbuilding operation turned out sturdy watercraft that introduced generations of sailors to a love of the sea, died Wednesday at his home in Cos Cob at the age of 81. The cause of death was not determined, but the death was attributed to natural causes.

For many years, Peters owned and operated Mianus Marina, now the site of a rowing club, and was the president of Albin Marine USA. An accomplished sailor and world traveler, Peters was a well-known fixture on the Greenwich waterfront.

He was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on June 8, 1934, to Martin J. and Gerarda Adriaanz Peters. Raised and educated in the Netherlands, Peters joined the military, trained as a communication specialist and served with the Dutch marines in the East Indies and New Guinea. He also served in the Dutch merchant marine and sailed around the world, later taking a position with the Holland America Line as a radio officer on voyages between New York and Rotterdam.

Peters immigrated to the U.S. in 1958. He married Monica Johansson in the early 1960s.

After working for Palmer Engines in Cos Cob, Peters began running a business from Cos Cob in 1965, selling Swedish-made boats from Albin Marine. As president of Albin USA, he built boats in Taiwan, later building a factory in Portsmouth, R.I.

“Coming from Holland, and sailing in the North Sea, he built very rugged and seaworthy boats, fuel-efficient, too,” recalled his daughter, Miranda Hussar, of New Canaan.

Along with some other manufacturers in the field, Albin built the so-called “Down-easter” power boats that gave many families their first exposure to sea journeys. Later models were built with family-friendly additions at a relatively affordable price.

Peters retired from business in 2008 and pursued his love of travel and boating, recently returning from a trip to Amsterdam.

“He was a man full of life, jokes and good feeling toward everybody,” his daughter said.

Beside his daughter, he is survived by two sisters, Beatrix McKane of Long Island, N.Y., and Tineke Parker of Miami; and two grandchildren. His former wife lives in Greenwich.

Family and friends are making donations to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Catherine’s of Sienna in Riverside, and a reception will follow there.

[rnummi]

Thanks for my boat..... Bon voyage Fred.

[Pitou]

Thanks John.