Whitney Pierpoint (Pete) Blair, 55, eldest son of Whitney and Susan Blair of Brunswick, Me., died peacefully on August 13 at his home in Sebastopol, Calif. His family was at his side. Born in Waltham on June 6, 1954, Pete grew up in Rye, N.Y., where he attended Rye Country Day School, where his father taught classics, graduating in 1972. He graduated from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, with a bachelor’s degree in organ performance in 1976. During all of Pete’s schooling, he was immersed in many musical and theatrical endeavors.

Following college he served in Boston as manager of an F.A.O. Schwartz store. Soon after he settled on the Vineyard where he was organist and choir director of Grace Episcopal Church, and was director of the children’s theatre there.

On Feb. 7, 1981 in Vineyard Haven Pete married Lark Margaret Newick, daughter of Richard and Pat Newick. Pete and Lark ultimately relocated their family to Sanbornton, N.H., attracted to the community of the Sant Bani Ashram and School. Since 2003 they have lived in northern California, currently in Sebastopol, where their congenial connection to their ashram community continues. While in California, professionally Pete showed his expertise in sales of solar installations at several firms. Since early 2008, he was with Magnetek of Milwaukee, in their alternative energy division for business and industrial installations as director of sales in the western states. This work which he loved was brought to an abrupt close by the onset of cancer.

Pete is survived by his devoted widow, Lark Margaret Newick, and their six children, Ezra Jaster Newick, Benjamin Cooper, Liza Emily, Aria Valerie, Ian Richard and Rane Judith, his parents Whitney and Susan Bridge Blair, his three siblings, Susan Blair Brew, Katharine Blair Beringer, and Timothy Leighton Blair, and a wide community of loving friends. His articulate and playful mind and his sense of humor will long be remembered and missed. He was a gifted parent, a man of spiritual depth and empathy with an abiding love for others. He was honored with a memorial service held at the Sant Bani Ashram and School in Sanbornton, N.H. on August 29.

It was Pete’s wish that his ashes be interred at Sant Bani Ashram in New Hampshire and at Shamaz Valley in California, and also be scattered on the water along the shore of the Vineyard.

Those wishing to make a gift in memory of Pete should contact his brother, Timothy Leighton Blair, for the details. Tim’s e-mail address is timblair@sustainablemaine.com.