Peter Joseph Muise, of Marion, formerly of Hanson, passed away on July 6th, 2022, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a courageous 19 year battle with cancers and post-transplant complications.
He was born in Milton in 1955, son of the late Daniel Muise and Winifred (Caristi) Hayes, and spent his early life in Quincy, Braintree and Weymouth.
Peter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Science degree in Finance from Bentley College. He began his banking career in 1977 at Quincy Savings Bank and rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer. Peter joined First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union in 1996 and served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer before his appointment to President and CEO in August 2008 through his retirement in January 2021.
Peter was very involved in his communities on the South Coast and the Cape, and gave so much of his time to causes and projects that helped others. He was the Chairman of the Board for the Housing Assistance Corporation, Inc. and an Executive Committee member of the Homeless Service Providers Network in New Bedford. He was one of the founders of Rise Up for Homes, a fundraising and advocacy organization to support ending homelessness. He served as the Co-Chair of the South Coast Regional Network to End Homelessness and was a member of the New Bedford Regeneration Committee. He was Chairman for four years on the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board and served for several years as the Co-Chair of the National Academy Foundation’s Advisory Board for the New Bedford High School’s Education and Industry Coordinating Council.
While awards and accolades never defined him, because he was far too humble to be comfortable with the praise, he was the 2015 recipient of the Sister Rose Award from the City of New Bedford, the 2014 recipient of the Sydney Adams Award from the Inter-Church Council of New Bedford and The Standard-Times 2013 SouthCoast Man of the Year. In 2004 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees in recognition of his twelve years of dedication as an elected member of the Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee. He was also chosen as the Town of Hanson’s Citizen of the Year in 2006 after having served for two years as Chairman of the Town’s Government Study Committee.
Peter was a friend to many, and never met a “stranger” in his life. He remained close friends with his various circles, the S B Crafters, the Nice Guys, Old Bankers, and the Band. Peter was a connector and supporter. Many who knew him, even if they had just met him once, were included in his network of friends, and he often emailed, texted or called to help out and support others and connect them to people who might help them achieve their goals.
While his career contributions, accomplishments, and friendships were both significant and numerous, Peter’s number one pride and joy was his family. He will be remembered as a loving and constant presence, only a car ride or phone call away, willing to help whenever they needed support, advice, or assistance. He was an avid New England sports fan and he never missed watching Patriots games with his wife. As a beloved Gramps, he introduced each grandchild to NesQuik chocolate milk at breakfast, how to fill bird feeders, and proudly taught the older ones how to play chess and drive the red “people mover” around the neighborhood. He liked to play “on the ground” with his grandkids, despite his health, and was a silly-faced, giggle teaser. A lover of food, Peter relished in a good meal. When he wasn’t working or with his family, he could be found golfing or most likely, futzing around the yard in his crocs with socks.
Peter is survived by his wife, best friend, and partner of 50 years, Robin (Fitzpatrick) Muise; and his three children, a son, Jason and his wife Alissa of Holden; a daughter, Carly and her husband Jeff Lavin of Mattapoisett, a daughter Krista and her husband PJ O’Brien of Tolland, CT; and 9 grandchildren, Wyatt, Emily, Lyla, Everly, Graeme, Finnegan, Myles, Rory, and Maisie. He is also survived by a sister, Barbara and her husband Dennis Fleming; a sister-in-law Joanne and her husband Dan Englehardt; a brother-in-law Robert and his wife Susan Fitzpatrick; and a sister-in-law MaryLee Muise. He was the favorite uncle of many nieces and nephews and godfather to 6. He was predeceased by his parents; brother David Muise; and father and mother-in-law Robert G. and Maria Aline (Machado) Fitzpatrick.
The family is extremely grateful for the compassionate and loving care shown to Peter from the staff at Dana Farber, Brigham and Women’s, and Mass Eye and Ear. We thank them for the extra time they gave us to be together, and the way they honored Peter and held us through each trial and tribulation. These amazing people are more than caregivers, they are a part of our family forever.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond St, Mattapoisett, MA, on Wednesday July 13, 2022 at 10 am. The public is invited to meet directly at church. Burial will follow in Old Landing Cemetery, Marion. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 from 4-8 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory may be made to Rise up for Homes, (℅ Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford, 128 Union Street Suite100, New Bedford, Ma 02740 or online at riseupforhomes.com) and the Housing Assistance Corporation (460 West Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 or online at https://haconcapecod.org/make-donation/). These donations will be used for continuing his work of serving the homeless and those less fortunate. For the online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
