UNITY – Peter Van Deets, of Unity, Maine, passed away peacefully on Oct. 26, 2025. He was born Aug. 17, 1945, son of Neil E. and Dorothy I. Van Deets.

Peter lived in Unity and attended schools until 1945. The family moved to Indian Pond Township where his father worked at Harris Station Dam (Central Maine Power). A small community consisting of six houses, 20 miles from the nearest town of West Forks, where Peter attended elementary schools. He attended high school at Higgins Classical Institute, a boarding school in Charleston.

During the summer months Peter worked for the “Log Drive” towing logs the length of Indian Pond (nine miles) to Harris Dam where the logs were sent down a sluice to the Kennebec River and beyond.

After graduation from Higgins, Peter lived with his aunt, Bernice and uncle, Clayton Hall, while attending and graduating from Husson College. He then worked for Hathaway Shirt Factory in Waterville, where he met his life partner, Sandra Paradis, and her daughter, Laura and granddaughter, Skylar. He also worked several years at L.L.Bean in Freeport.

Peter loved the Stock Car races in Unity and attended them every Sunday with his parents and sister, Joanne. He then discovered NASCAR! He and Sandra traveled throughout New England and the East Coast going to the races.

Peter was predeceased by his parents; and life partner, Sandra Paradis.

He is survived by a sister, Joanne; nieces Cara Cameron and Carmen Hincks, nephews Justin Hincks, Grady and Evan Cameron; several cousins; and special friends Sue Lombard and Betty Curtis.

A small memorial gathering is planned at the Unity Pond Cemetery at the time of the burial.