Family man, finance professional, sports and outdoors enthusiast
Pete Ginouves and his Great Dane Ruby.
(Courtesy photo)
Peter Gerard Ginouves, a gentle giant of a man and devoted husband and father, died unexpectedly at his home in Harvard on June 22, 2015. He leaves an entire community in mourning.
Peter was a force of nature. At 6 feet 9 inches tall, his physicality made an impression, especially when he was seen running on Harvard’s back roads with his Great Dane, Ruby, by his side. His friendly manner, quick wit, distinctive laugh, and kind heart helped Peter make lasting friendships wherever he went. Peter knew how to have fun, and he was generous, almost to a fault. He amused his family and friends with his storytelling, dance moves, and his imitation of Dr. Seuss’s Grinch (which was true genius). He found adventure in sailing, biking, skiing, motorcycling, and traveling with his family. His athleticism and height made him a high school and college basketball star. Peter knew how to pack 36 hours into every day, multitasking to plan family gatherings, organize a fundraiser for the Bare Hill Rowing Association (he was a board member), and fulfill his professional obligations. He always thought big, evinced by his long and successful career in finance. His ideas were marked by true creativity, a keen intellect, attention to detail, and a profound integrity.
Peter was born at home, on May 2, 1961, in Westfield, New Jersey. He graduated from Conard High School in West Hartford, Connecticut, and earned his BS in accounting at Clark University in Worcester. He completed his MBA in finance at the University of Pittsburgh in only 11 months, where he was recruited by IBM before graduation. His career in finance started with IBM in Poughkeepsie, New York, then Burlington, Vermont, and finally at IBM’s headquarters in Armonk, New York. Later he moved to Compaq in Houston, Texas. He returned to the Northeast, where he worked for Hewlett-Packard, Computer Associates, EMC, and other smaller companies. He had recently accepted his dream job as chief financial officer at Altran North America/Foliage.
Peter was predeceased by his mother, Valeska M. (Hammer) Ginouves, and his eldest sister, Karla M. Ginouves. He is survived by his beloved wife of 26 years, Susan (Poe) Ginouves; his two beautiful and amazing children, Sam Ginouves (currently attending the University of Wisconsin) and Michelle Rose Ginouves (currently attending the Bromfield School); his father, Albert G. Ginouves of Brooksville, Florida; his sister Connie Swanzer and her husband, Larry, of Ringoes, New Jersey; his sister Michele Ginouves and her husband, Hal Sweeney, of Brooksville, Florida; and his brother, Albert P. Ginouves, and his wife, Amy Lake, of Lakeville, Connecticut. His in-laws include Sue’s father and stepmother, William R. and Esther Poe of West Hartford, Connecticut; her sister, Christy Poe Colley, and her husband, John, of Saratoga Springs, New York; her brother James Brinton Poe and his wife, Karen, of Sebastopol, California; her brother Jeffrey Scott Poe and his wife, Lorri, of Canton, Connecticut; and her brother Andy and his wife, Alivia, of Amherst. His many adoring nieces and nephews include Christopher and Kristen Olsen; Nataly, Ismael, and Sophie Lake-Ginouves; Stelle Poe; Kelsey and Taylor Poe; Grace and Lily Poe; Meghan and Moira Colley; grandniece Lyla Olsen; and grandnephew Gunnar Olsen. And last but not least, he is survived by his dearest Ruby Roo, the Great Dane.
Peter will be deeply missed by all. Services were held in Harvard at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church on Monday, June 29. The family has requested that donations be made to Bare Hill Rowing Association Inc., in care of Jim Ware, 90 East Bare Hill Road, Harvard MA 01451, or to The Parmenter Foundation, 400 Boston Post Road, Suite 1A, Sudbury MA 01776 (508-358-3000, ext. 361).
