The Rev. Peter Russell Sanborn died on June 13 in Melbourne, Fla., his home for 17 years. He was 67 and was well known on the Vineyard where he had served as pastor of the Community Baptist Church of Gay Head and First Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven.
Peter was born in Woonsocket, R.I. on Dec. 1, 1943, to the Rev. Arthayer and Ruth Cummings Sanborn. His growing-up years as the second of five children were the source of joyful memories, and he cherished his family history. He attended Nyack High School in Nyack, N.Y., Franklin College in Franklin, Ind., and Andover Newton Theological School in Newton.
Called to the ministry while a camper and on staff at the Pathfinder Lodge in Cooperstown, N.Y., Peter was devoted to his faith, and was tireless in caring for the dying and the bereaved. In addition to the Vineyard, his formal ministry took place at churches in Dedham, Bainbridge, N.Y., Cranston, R.I., Franklin, N.Y., and Burlington, N.Y.
He also shared his ministerial gifts in his final years in Florida.
Peter met his beloved wife, Phyllis Cash, while working on staff at Pathfinder Lodge, and they married in 1969 in Syracuse, N.Y. Prior to Phyllis’ death in 1993, they welcomed and together raised two daughters, Heather Lynne and Jennifer Lyn. Peter was overjoyed in recent years to be Grampa Peter to Kyra, Lucas and Keith. His pride in his daughters and grandchildren was evident to all who knew him.
He is survived by his daughter, Heather Sanborn and her son, Keith, of Natick; his daughter, Jennifer Sanborn, son in law Matthew Burch, and their children, Kyra and Lucas of Tariffville, Conn.; his siblings, Stephen Sanborn, Philip Sanborn and Ann Bach and their families; family member Bette Doonan; and the special friends who brightened his days and lessened his suffering in recent years of chronic illness and pain. His family is grateful to those who were present for him, and who loved him as he was.
A service of remembrance will be held at Trinity Towers West in Melbourne, Fla., on Saturday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m., with a later service to be held for his family and close friends on the Vineyard.
Gifts in Peter’s memory can be made to Pathfinder Lodge, c/o American Baptist Churches, NYS, 5865 E. Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, NY 13078, where a fund has been established in his name to share the beauty and sanctity of this place with future generations.
Celebrate Peter, minister and friend, by sending flowers to those who are lonely, by writing letters to those you miss, or by giving a listening ear to a friend in need. In these ways, his generous spirit will live on.
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