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Light a Candle
Peter James Maxwell, age 84, of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2021 with his loving family at his side. Peter was born August 23, 1936 on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. During his time in the National Guard, Peter met his one true love, Charlene, in Minneapolis, at the age of 19. Peter was a machinist until going to college at age 28 at the University of Minnesota. Peter then obtained a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and began work as a counselor for the State of Wisconsin Job Service. Peter's career was guided by his unwavering belief that every person, regardless of their background, should be given a chance to succeed. Above all else, he instilled a strong sense of independence and service in his only daughter, Kara. Peter and Charlene made homes in Illinois, Minnesota and across the state of Wisconsin, until, in their early 70s, they made the cross-country move to New York prior to the birth of their first grandchild. Shortly after their second grandchild was born, the family settled in the Philadelphia area. In his life, Peter enjoyed fishing, cross-country skiing, and camping. He was a voracious reader and a dedicated hobbyist - focusing on model trains and, most recently, as a candlemaker. But what mattered most to Peter were his beloved wife and daughter, and the joy of his last 12 years were his grandchildren. Peter was the son of the late Walter and Ruth Maxwell; devoted husband to Charlene for 63 years; cherished father to Kara (Jeffrey Liu) Maxwell; beloved grandfather to Elena and Zachary; brother to the late Carol (Harold) Johnson and the late Raymond Maxwell; brother-in-law to Linda Maxwell, Joyce Waalk-Quast, Sharon (Jon) Brisk, and Gregory (Debi) Hunter; brother-in-law to the late Henry Waalk, Charles Hunter and Roger Quast. A memorial service is planned for the coming weeks, details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations are made in Peter's memory to Philabundance, https://secure.philabundance.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5969&mfc_pref=T&5969.donation=form1
