Peter N. Wise, Sr., 88

October 22, 2024

Peter N. Wise, Sr. (Pete), 88 , passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Born in Pottsville, he was the son of the late John S. Wise, III and Mary Stauffer DeBusk.

A man of many passions and vocations, Pete’s work history began as a

farmhand in Lancaster County and a few summers on a family farm in Indiana with his boyhood friend James Whitely. He worked as a board recorder for the San Francisco Stock Exchange in the late ‘50s followed by a position with Dean Witter & Co. as a trading clerk on the exchange floor. This lead the way to his lifelong interest in the stock market.

Drafted into military service in 1957, Pete proudly served for two years in the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge, he enjoyed diverse

occupations in the sales, transportation and hospitality industries. He was employed as the food and beverage manager for the former Host Town and Host Farm as well as bartending at various bars and nightclubs in Lancaster and Wildwood, New Jersey.

Pete’s most treasured accomplishments were as the owner of both the Royal House and Pete’s Chicken Shack in Lancaster during

the late ‘60s to mid ‘70s as well as being the proprietor of Pete’s Outdoor Store in Kennett Square for nearly a decade during the ‘80s.

In his later years he enjoyed 15 years of employment as the facility manager for Legacy For Life in Satellite Beach, Florida.

Pete was an animal lover and supported many conservation efforts for birds and wildlife, and he contributed abundantly to both local and national Humane Society charities. He had his own “flock” of geese that he hand-fed at the ponds of his residence at Greenfield Estates, and for many years a pair of ducks returned to his patio for his nurturing care during nesting season.

As a connoisseur of fine food, he was an excellent cook and loved the experience of recipe searching, shopping and preparing his own meals. In addition, he very much enjoyed the times he spent with his brother Johnny in Canada salmon fishing, NASCAR, college football and nature programs. Pete loved Jazz and Big Band music and had a lifetime adoration for Frank Sinatra. His sister Susan has fond memories of him religiously tuning in to Fridays with Frank and Sundays with Sinatra while living in the Philadelphia area.

Surviving Peter are his sister, Susan Dyson Harkleroad of Lititz; four children, Pamela Condos of Napa, California; Tracy Wise of Lititz; Peter N. Wise, Jr. and his wife Emily Wise of Lancaster; and Rebecca Garvey of Irmo, South Carolina; three grandchildren, Samantha Garvey of Philadelphia, and Ian and Carly Wise of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by his brother John D. Wise of Exton, PA.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Please consider contributions in his memory to an animal shelter/adoption center of your choice.