Peter G. Kuchar, 74, passed away on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, while vacationing with his beloved wife, Meg, off the coast of St. Barths.
Born on March 25, 1950, in Manchester, New Hampshire, to Maurice “Big Kuch” and Jeanette “Jay” (Matthews) Kuchar. He had an amazing bond with both sets of grandparents! His maternal grandparents were Archibald and Jeannette Matthews. Paternal grandparents, Peter and Anastasia Kuchar emigrated from Ukraine during the Bolshevik Revolution, and he dearly loved his Da and Nana, whose forbearers came over on the Mayflower and were from England. He was very proud of his Ukrainian heritage and his beloved USA.
He graduated from Watertown High School in 1969 before attending Stetson University, where he played as the No. 1 player on the tennis team. It was at Stetson that he met Meg Wright, a young freshman who he quickly swept off her feet. Less than a year later, they were married in Huntington, West Virginia, beginning a beautiful journey that saw them celebrate their 50th anniversary last February.
Peter had an enduring love for sports, particularly tennis and golf, and he dedicated time to coaching his children’s teams. More recently, he discovered pickleball, which he described as a “gift from God,” relishing the opportunity to compete at a high level and forge new friendships through the sport.
Beyond athletics, Peter was deeply committed to giving back. He served in many roles with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville, including chairman of the board and chair of their annual golf tournament, helping to raise significant funds over the years. He also took part in “puppy training” of service dogs for K9s for Warriors and was an active member of the Gator Bowl Committee.
Peter worked hard, played hard, and lived life to the fullest. Having been born in New England, he remained a steadfast Red Sox throughout his life. His heart belonged to Newfound Lake in Bristol, NH, particularly a cherished community of cabins known as Camp Wulamat. For 68 consecutive summers, he never missed a trip there.
One of Peter’s greatest joys was carrying the golf bag for his son, Matt, during his 1997 U.S. Amateur victory. That unforgettable experience led to Peter caddying for Matt in the Masters, U.S. Open, The British Open, and more. He also treasured his time with his “Munchkin Golf” group, achieving the rare feat of shooting his age multiple times.
His pickleball buddies are considered " The Top Guns" One shared, "some of my fondest memories were Peter starting each game with "God bless you before service then adding an enthusiastic "Who’s your daddy?!" when he made a great play. The fun, competition and camaraderie were a real joy in life.
Above all, Peter loved his family. His greatest happiness was spending time with his soulmate and best friend, Meg, and their two beloved therapy dogs—Dewey, a Labrador, and Moxie, a golden retriever he acquired from his daughter, who shares his deep love of dogs. Even after nearly 51 years of marriage, Peter and Meg remained as inseparable and affectionate as newlyweds.
While Peter’s sudden passing leaves his family heartbroken, they take comfort in the incredible life he lived, the love he shared, and the lasting memories he created.
Peter is survived by wife, Meg; son, Matt and his wife, Sybil, and their sons Cameron and Carson; his daughter, Rebecca Krutz, and her husband, Patrick, and their children, Tripp, Thomas, and Ellie; his mother, Jeannette "Jay"; brothers, Mark and Gregg, and their families; and sister, Nancy.
Services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville, K9’s For Warriors, or Always Going ministries.
