RIP: Writer Peter V. K. Funk dies at 95

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Peter V. K. Funk, Sr. a resident of Keene, New Hampshire, died on September 11, 2016 surrounded by members of his family at the age of 95. During his many years he lived a rich and varied life.

Born into the family that included the founder of the Funk & Wagnalls publishing company, publisher of dictionaries, encyclopedias and the Literary Digest, Peter was educated at Princeton University and saw service as a Marine officer in the Pacific theater during World War II.

In 1942, while a student at Princeton, he married Mary Pettit, who left Vassar to follow him to the West Coast prior to his deployment to the Pacific. Peter and Mary were married 74 years and had seven children, four boys and three girls. They raised their children in New Jersey and Connecticut. Many of those years were spent on Amity Farm in Lambertville, NJ and later in Princeton, New Jersey.

Following World War II, Peter tried his hand in the magazine business, which led to his starting an ecumenical religious magazine Faith Today. Instead of focusing upon a single religion, it anticipated today's multi-cultural environment by including articles about many religions. After Faith Today, he took a position with the family Wall Street firm Karl D. Pettit & Co. Eventually, he returned to his first love, writing. Following in the footsteps of his father, Wilfred J. Funk, a writer and publisher whose works included 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary, Peter wrote a monthly column for the Reader's Digest called "It Pays to Enrich Your Word Power" for many years. He also worked with Mary on collaborative projects aimed at teaching people to expand their vocabulary. His books and articles included My Six Loves, which was made into a film by Paramount. That novel and his other creative writings, including Love and Consequences and High Spirits, were inspired by his large and lively family.

Religion also played a strong role throughout Peter's life. He spent time as a lay member of the Franciscan Order and later, in his 70's, attended a seminary in Trenton, N.J. and was ordained as a Deacon. As a Deacon, he provided comfort to hospital patients and was an active member of first the Princeton Trinity Church clergy. After his and Mary's move in 2008 to Keene, NH, he continued his ministry with the St. James Episcopal Church of Keene.

Peter Funk is survived by his devoted wife Mary, their children, Peter, John, Celine, Mark, Mary, Paul and Eleanor, their spouses, 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him for his tremendous generosity of spirit, his loving and optimistic nature, and his zest for life.

A memorial service will be held at a later time.

The Foley Funeral Home of Keene, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements.