Peter R.K. Gardiner

Peter R. K. Gardiner, 85, of Narragansett, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, July 24, 2015. He was the loving husband of Patricia (Smith) Gardiner for 44 years. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Nevile and Dorothy (Wiley) Gardiner. Peter attended Taft Prep School and Yale University. Peter was a marketing executive for Gulf Oil Company for 30 years before retiring. Peter started Whale Rock Real Estate and later became an agent for Randall Realtors. Peter served as President of the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce. He also was a member of the Narragansett Library Board of Trustees. He was former director of the South County Museum and worked in marketing for the South County Tourism Council. Peter was a communicant of St. Thomas More Church, a member of the Point Judith Yacht Club and an accomplished sailor. He leaves his devoted wife Patty and is also survived by his daughters, Susie Kief of Arizona, Jo Gardiner of San Francisco, California, Melissa Buchanan of North Carolina and Elizabeth Akkerman, also of California, his grandchildren, Jaime, Emily, Nicholas, and Michael Raba, Christopher and Adam Kief, Anne Lloyd, Molly Gardiner, Katie, Matthew and Luke Baunack, Sarah Hardy, Daniel Akkerman and the late Jonathan Raba; a sister, Glena Derby of Tennessee and thirteen great grandchildren. He also leaves his dear son-in-law Rob Kief. Peter will be forever missed by his ever-faithful dog, Puppy. Special thanks to his dear friends the Harts, the, the Lynches, the Maddens, the Rogers and the Sullivans. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the exceptional health care provided by his physician, Dr. Walter Donat of Rhode Island Hospital. Peter was especially blessed by his pastor, Fr. Taillon, Father Christopher Murphy and Fr. Joshua Barrow. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday at 10 am in St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland St., Narragansett. Burial will be private. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Peter’s memory to St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland St., Narragansett, RI 02882.