Brother of local residents, restaurant manager, lover of the South
Peter D. West, 56, died at his home in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Thursday, March 26, 2015, after battling prostate cancer.
He was born on February 14, 1959, in North Adams to Kathryn and Richard H. West. Peter grew up in Harvard, graduated from Bromfield in 1977, and shortly thereafter joined the Army National Guard, serving seven years.
Although Peter was born Yankee, he loved the South. He met his wife, Anita Duhe, while attending Southeastern Louisiana University, and they were married shortly after graduation in 1984. Peter is survived by his three children, Kathryn Duhon of Lafayette, Karlton West of New Orleans, and Kevin West of Lafayette, and by a granddaughter, Samantha Duhon, who recently celebrated her first birthday.
Peter is also survived by his four siblings: brothers Richard W. West and Daniel A. West, both of Harvard, and sisters Anne Marie Michaels and Kathleen West. He also leaves five nephews, three nieces, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, two uncles, and many cousins.
Peter touched many lives while living in the South during his 35-year career in restaurant management. Most recently, he worked as an area director for Brechtel Hospitality LLC. He was known for his hard work ethic and quick wit.
Anyone who knew Peter knew his great loves were his family and the Boston Red Sox. Peter would help anyone in need and would often say to his wife, “One day our children may need a kind helping hand from a stranger when we can’t be there, and that is someone’s child.” Also, Peter fully expected to see the Sox opening day this year.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Jungle Garden, Avery Island Road, Avery Island, LA 70513. A reception will follow. For more information, please call Melancon Funeral Home at 337-896-6366.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Ochsner Cancer Institute, Prostate Cancer Fund, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121.
