Peter M. Roddy Dies; Fisherman was Age 69
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- Created on Wednesday, 02 February 2022 13:29
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Peter M. Roddy
Peter M. Roddy, longtime resident of Sitka, passed away January 20, 2022, at his brother’s home in Traverse City, Michigan, after a determined but too-brief battle with metastatic melanoma. He was 69.
He was born on May 13, 1952, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the second of four sons of Timothy Edward and Mary Kay (Caven) Roddy.
After graduating from the University of Detroit High School, Pete went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame in 1975 with a bachelor of arts degree in liberal studies, a self-directed program that allowed him the chance to read the western canon and join the ranks of Philosopher-Kings.
From there, as seems natural for someone who while growing up preferred swimming in lakes to pools and fishing rather than golfing, Pete heeded Horace Greeley’s advice and headed west, working for the Forest Service clearing fire roads in Utah and eventually finding himself in Southeast Alaska, clearing timber when he wasn’t fly fishing or foraging for all things edible in the long summer days.
Pete stayed in Southeast for the next 40 odd years after learning commercial fishing working on a variety of boats with a cast of characters, and graduating to owning the F/V Jaeger and then F/V Gambler after the former sank from under him.
He was always interested in good food and drink no matter where he found himself on his travels, and in lively conversation and the sharing of opinions (particularly his own), and continued to be an avid Notre Dame football fan through it all.
Pete was preceded in death by his father, Ed.
He is survived by his 100-year-old mother, Mary Kay, in West Bloomfield, Michigan; brothers Tim (Diana) in McLean, Virginia, Jim (former spouse Marisa) in Hazel Park, Michigan, and John (Pam) Roddy of Traverse City; and four nieces and two nephews. He will be missed by them all.
No services are currently planned, but it’s been suggested that if you’d like to remember him that you raise a glass to your friends and family and enjoy some wild-caught seafood.
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