Peter James Stanhope (28 May 1939 - 29 Jun 2024)

Peter James Stanhope

Freeman of the City of York. Passed away on 29th June aged 85 years. Loving husband to Jean for 63 years and father to Alison and Graham. Funeral service to be held at York Crematorium on Thursday 18th July at 12:20 pm. Family flowers only please. Donations in Peter's memory can be made to Blood Cancer UK.

Peter was born in a small terraced house in Fairfax Street in Bishophill Senior, York. His father James (‘Jim’) was a cabinet maker at Vickers Instruments, and his mother Florence (‘Flo’) worked on the production line at Terry’s chocolate factory. Peter went to school at Scarcroft Junior School and Nunthorpe Grammar School in York.

As a young man Peter’s main hobbies were photography and art, and his first job was in a pet shop. He met his wife Jean at a local dance school and they were married in 1960 at St. Hilda’s church in Tang Hall. Peter and Jean celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2021.

One of the last groups of young men to complete National Service, the Army took Peter to Nottingham where son Graham, and then daughter Alison were later born. Photography was always Peter’s work - firstly as a photographer, and then at Saville of York where he sold professional photographic equipment. Later in his career he owned his own photographic equipment business and ran this successfully until retirement.

Since the early-1970s, Haxby has been the family home. Peter and Jean bought their first new house in Holly Tree Meadows and retired to a smaller home closer to the village. Peter was active in many groups including local history, local business, and the York Company of Cordwainers guild where he served as a Master. As part of his local history interests, Peter authored a book about the Victorian York artist Edwin Ridsdale Tate which was reprinted three times.

Peter loved gardening, especially roses, and his front garden was his pride and joy. He was also very proud of his four grandchildren and loved to keep in touch and encourage them, despite the distances involved.
We will remember him with a smile on his face, Mum at his side, and keen to tell us what he’d just found out about local history, our family tree, or what was happening in Haxby. More than anything, Peter lived for his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed.