R. Peter Brandt, beloved husband and father, died February 15, 2015 at home in Melbourne Beach, Florida.

Peter was born on March 11, 1931 in Salem, New Jersey, the only son of Robert and Lucinda (nee Rammel) Brandt. He married Irene O'Brien on May 7, 1955, and they resided in Haddonfield, New Jersey until the late 1990s. After that they split their time between their homes in Southport, Maine and Melbourne Beach, Florida. Peter and Irene had six children, one of whom died in infancy, and eight grandchildren. They were happily married for 54 years, until Irene died in 2010.

Peter was a graduate of Collingswood (N.J.) High School, and Rutgers University-Camden. He served in the U.S. Army, and the National Guard, in the 1950s. He then worked in the family business, first with his father, and later with his own son, Peter, for the rest of his career.

Peter loved fishing, boating, chess, and poker, and was an avid reader. In his forties, he learned to fly, and co-owned a small plane for several years with some friends. Peter enjoyed traveling with Irene, and after he retired, they spent a lot of time traveling to visit family and friends. Peter also loved Florida, and tried to spend every winter there after he retired.

Peter is survived by his children, Mary Beth Brandt of Durham, North Carolina; Christopher Brandt of Boothbay Harbor and his wife Lana, their son Dylan and his wife Amanda; John Brandt of Albuquerque, New Mexico and his daughters Tessa and Kyra; son Peter W. Brandt of Haddonfield, New Jersey and his wife Lynn, and their daughters Corinne, Colette and Colleen; Ann Brandt of Brunswick and her husband Jeff Howe, and her daughters Megan Brandt-Meyer and Rita Brandt-Meyer; former son-in-law Eric Meyer of Whitefield; former daughter-in-law Jenny Moore of Albuquerque, N.M.; and his friend Vicki Coudriet of Indialantic, Florida, who cared for him during his final year, and gave him the gift of being able to live and die peacefully at home.

A memorial service will be held for Peter in Haddonfield, New Jersey on April 11, 2015. For further information on arrangements, please email annirenebrandt@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to may send memorial donations in Peter's name to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Rte. One, Scarborough, ME 04074, or www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org