Peter Tarnoff
Peter Tarnoff, of Osterville, MA passed away the morning of March 29, 2018 at age 68.
He lived a vibrant life and waved the white flag reluctantly. He had so many avocations in which he was fluent that one friend commented that he lived every day as if it were it was his last, but studied his interests as though he would live forever. He loved Cape Cod, his final home, but began his life in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Peter attended St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, Connecticut; he then went on to St. Lawrence University for two years before transferring to Boston University. There, while studying journalism, he nurtured his loves of photography and music. He was the first photo editor of the newly formed campus daily newspaper, The Daily Free Press, still in publication 48 years later. Peter loved music and he befriended musicians and music promoters alike in Boston, as he was much more than a casual fan. Latter day collectors of rock and roll images prized his music photos made beginning in the 1960s.
After college, Peter began a diverse career – working only in industries that he loved, including alpine skiing, wine, finance, and lastly education. It was not a surprise to his friends that Peter, as a legendary storyteller and unusually patient explainer of complexities, spent the remainder of his working life as an educator. He taught math and financial literacy at numerous schools on Cape Cod and in the Boston area.
Peter married Donna Driscoll-Tarnoff on April 25th 1981, in Milton, Massachusetts. Peter and Donna met in 1979 in Connecticut, while both working in the ski industry. They enjoyed 31 years of marriage, skiing in Vermont, traveling in France and Italy, and raising their two sons Nicholas (31) and Alexander (28), until her passing in 2012.
Peter was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Donna Driscoll, his father, Edwin Tarnoff, and his brother, Jeffrey Tarnoff. He was exceptionally proud of his two sons Nicholas, of Atlanta, GA, and his wife Chelsea, and Alexander, of New York, NY. He is survived by his mother, Betty Tarnoff, sons Nicholas and Alexander, and many nieces and nephews and large extended family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His friends have assured the family that they will fill the void of his absence with memories and stories too many to number.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday April 3, 4:00pm- 7:00pm in the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Milton. Interment Private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Peter Tarnoff to the Admiral’s Watch of the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition or to Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, Class of 1979 Fund.
Guestbook Entries
Mrs. Betty Tarnoff, You may remember me from when you lived on Goodhill Rd., in Weston. I drove Pete to St. Luke’s every day. We reconnected when he transferred to BU. We unfortunately lost track, and I was very surprised to see that he lived on the Cape, where I’ve been for 40+ years.
I’m so sorry for your losses. I knew Jeff as well. Both great guys. Pete and I used to laugh about Soupy Sales on our way to SLS, and would stand outside record stores in Boston to be the first to get new albums.
I really wish we could have again reconnected on the Cape. I have very fond memories of both your sons, and I remember you as well. The photo in the CC Times looks just like I remember Pete. Again, so sorry.
Rick Howe
I had the honor of treating Peter as his Chiropractor years ago. I was impressed with his music knowledge and his amazing photos of famous musicians that he had taken over the years. It was a pleasure to have him as my patient and he will be missed. My sympathies to the family.