Greenfield, MA – Peter Allan Kerr, 78, of Greenfield, MA, passed away on June 9, 2026. Born in Nova Scotia to Kenneth and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Kerr on November 25, 1947, Peter was a lifelong learner with a brilliant mind and ready wit.
Peter moved to the United States in the 1980s but was always a Canadian at heart. As a young man, he attended the Dalhousie University School of Architecture in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In midlife, he earned a PhD in chemistry from UMass Amherst. He enjoyed working for UMass, doing water testing in local rivers and lakes. After retirement he pursued his many passions, including hikes in nature, classic cars, the sciences, travelling around the world, and music. Peter’s deep love of music was central to his life; he played several instruments, including guitar, piano, banjo, bass, and more.
In the early 1980’s Peter married Teri Keane, embracing his role as stepfather to sons Charis and Jonah. Teri’s death in 2006 was devastating for Peter – but he went on to treasure his role as a grandparent to Charis and Jonah’s children, becoming a kid himself with the little ones, making silly jokes, laughing wholeheartedly, and playing tirelessly.
In the early 1980s, Peter became interested in meditation practices in the tradition of S.N. Goenka, and was instrumental in helping to establish the Vipassana Meditation Center in Shelburne, MA. Peter lived his spiritual principles in many ways; he was a good friend to many, and was described as a “gentle soul who would rather capture and release a house fly than kill it.”
In 2016, Peter “proposed” to his long-time friend Mary Newton Rose by offering a bouquet of roses and asking, “Will you be my sidekick?” This was in the spirit of Roy Rogers’ TV series, which Peter loved. Peter and Mary continued to share life until his death.
Peter is survived by Mary; by brother David Kerr (Marie) and family; by stepson Charis Keane (Sam) and family; and by stepson Jonah Keane (Julia) and family. He will be missed by many friends and loved ones. Peter was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Teri Kerr, and his brother, Ken Kerr.
A celebration of Peter’s life will be held September 12 from 2-5 pm at the Episcopal Church of Saints James & Andrew, 8 Church Street in Greenfield, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Western Mass Food Bank, Stone Soup Cafe, and the Greenfield YMCA.
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