October 19, 1939 - May 24, 2015
Peter Fairchild Obituary (Age 75) Pete passed away on Sunday, May 24 after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. Pete was born to Arthur and Sarah (Woodbury) Fairchild in Providence, Rhode Island on October 19, 1939. His family moved all the way across the country to settle in Spokane, WA when Pete was 9 years old. He graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in 1957 and attended Eastern Washington College. His first job was with Peters & Son's Florists when he was just 15 years old. In the 1960's, Pete was active in the Spokane Civic Theater and the El Katif Shriner's volunteering for a perfectly suited role as a Shriner's clown. Pete served for over 30 years as the Fire Chief of Spokane International Airport. He began his firefighter career in the Air National Guard and was selected as one of the youngest fire chiefs ever in the service. When promoted to Fire Chief, Pete oversaw the operations of the regular Air Force fire department, the Air National Guard department, as well as the civilian airport fire department. Pete married the love of his life, Sharon (McGee), in 1976. They�ve been inseparable for 39 years. Pete was an avid NASCAR racing fan and made an annual trek to a NASCAR race with his buddies. His love of racing began in the 60's as a mechanic and driver for the Goffey's stock car at the Spokane Fairgrounds race track. Pete's greatest love was boating on Lake Coeur d'Alene with his wife and friends. His 38 foot SeaRay - the "Absolut Dream" - was his pride and joy. Pete and Sharon spent many summers cruising the lake, camping out in remote bays, and just hanging out on G-dock with friends. In his retirement, Pete worked for the Hagadone Corporation in Coeur d'Alene for seven years serving as the Dock Master of the Coeur d'Alene Marina - a perfect job for a man who loved the water, boating and people. Pete loved everyone he met--whether the box boy at the grocery store, the Starbuck's barista, or the corporate CEO. Each person felt a special bond with Pete. He immediately was your closest friend, and he always had a welcoming smile and warm "hello", a hug, and a joke or story for each person he met. It was a remarkable gift we will all miss. Pete was preceded in death by his son, Peter Scott Fairchild and nephew Todd Fairchild. Pete is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon Fairchild; two children, son Brian (Suzanne) and daughter Victoria Haberman (Doug); five grandchildren, Cameron, Jonathan Pierce (JP), Margaret (Greta), Victoria, and Brianna (Anna); a brother, Jack Fairchild (Lois), and nephew Travis (Emily); sister-in-law Patti Washburn (Bill) and brother-in-law Gary McGee (Janeane); and nephew and niece Nick and Stephanie Washburn. Pete touched so many lives; he will be forever missed, but never forgotten. There will be a Memorial Service and Celebration of Pete's life on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 pm at the Lincoln Center, 1316 N. Lincoln Street, Spokane, WA. Casual/boating attire required. A sincere thank you to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital for the compassionate care they provided Pete in his final two weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pete's memory to the Providence Health Care Foundation or Hospice of Spokane. � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Peter, please visit our Tree Store. Read more Events MAY 24
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