Peter Harland Goguen, 58

Peter Harland Goguen, named after his two grandfathers, Peter G. Goguen of Fitchburg, Mass., and Roy Harland Genthner of Nobleboro, Maine, was born in Pensacola, Fla., at the Naval Air base on June 24, 1957.

He and his family soon moved to California where he grew up in Buena Park and Fullerton, and attended Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton where he played on the varsity tennis team. He was an outstanding athlete in all sports but was most passionate about tennis. He was quite the surfer growing up and he also enjoyed playing golf with his best friend, Lon Lorbecki in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Ord, Calif., and was honorably discharged in May 1976. Since 1990, he has lived with his sister Nancy. In 1998, they moved to Coeur d’Alene with Nancy’s husband Bill Hughes, and have enjoyed the many amenities of a beautiful city and lifestyle. Peter often spent vacations with his mom in Maine and California.

He leaves behind his mom, Catherine Patty Scudder of California; his sisters, Pamela Goguen, Paula Meany and her husband Patrick, and Nancy Hughes and her husband Bill; nephews Thomas Hughes, and Ryan Meany and wife Stephanie; nieces Kimberly Nichols and Mackenzie Meany; stepmother Tad Frantz; aunt Jeanie and his Goguen cousins! Other loved ones he leaves behind are Christine Goguen, and Carol O’Brien and her family.

Peter was preceded in death by his father, Richard Peter Goguen on Feb. 3, 2016, only six weeks prior to his passing. He was also predeceased by his beloved step-dad “Bob” Scudder; grandparents Peter and Amelia Goguen of Fitchburg, Mass., and Roy and Mildred Genthner of Nobleboro; as well as his uncles, Dr. Norman Goguen, and Robert Goguen and wife Beverly of Fitchburg.

Peter struggled with schizophrenia most of his life, but he was a true blessing to so many. His heart was always filled with joy and love for others. He never forgot a friend and he had many. He always remembered his childhood friends, particularly Tommy Miller who stayed in touch with him throughout his life. He was particularly close to his sister, Nancy, who has been his best friend, his ally, his caretaker for more than 25 years; they were soul mates from birth. He formed special bonds with all of his family, friends and neighbors; he truly loved everyone. His generosity and purity of soul was a rare gift. May he rest in peace and know no more pain.

Memorial donations should be made in Peter’s name to the Lake City Church Food Bank, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. The gracious stewards of this organization selflessly help the homeless, who are oftentimes mentally ill and have nowhere else to turn.

A celebration of Peter’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016, at the Lake City Church in Coeur d’Alene.