Eric Peter Bierrie, 95, of Essex passed away on Christmas Day. He was born in New York City on Oct. 23, 1927, to his Danish parents, Aage and Inger Sonne Bierrie. Peter is survived by his adoring wife of 29 years, Linda, whom he called the love of his life; and his beloved daughters, Elizabeth (Thomas) Davison and Catherine (Kevin) Liddy. He is also survived by five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, three stepchildren, and six step-grandchildren, by all of whom he was adored and admired. Peter was predeceased by his wife Ann and his son John.

Peter graduated from St. Thomas Choir School, Tabor Academy, and Harvard. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War and was a forward observer in Korea, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. Peter spent his entire career with the Danish/British company United Baltic Corporation, later Andrew Weir & Co., becoming Chairman and CEO. He served as a public governor of the Commodity Exchange, advisor to the State Department, and served on various commodity related boards. He retired in 1992.

A fine athlete, Peter was a lifelong sailor who skied until 85 and played tennis until 93. He sailed to Maine for many years, and he and Linda sailed to Maine many times and later took their power boat to Florida and back.

After Peter and Linda moved to Essex in 1994, Peter volunteered at various times at Mystic Seaport, SCORE, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, FISH, and the Ancient Order of Essex Weeders. He served on the boards of the Community Music School and the Tri Town Bus Company. He loved to sing. He joined the St. John’s Episcopal Church Choir and Lymes’ Village Voices with Linda and sang with the Cappella Cantorum men’s chorus. He was a wonderful dancer, and he and Linda developed quite a reputation on the dance floor.

Peter was known for his wonderful sense of humor, his impeccable integrity in business, his wise counsel, and for what many have said, being a true gentleman. He loved life and had the Danish gift of seeing the glass as half full.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 3 Cross St, Essex. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook. To share a memory or to leave condolences please visit www.rwwfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church with the designation “Oil Fund,” which Peter started, on the memo line, or to Peter’s beloved Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts.