Peter Geldof Jr. Passes

Published: August 8, 2018 01:19 pm EDT

Standardbred breeder/owner/horseman Peter Geldof Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, August 3 at the age of 90.

Born and raised in Rochester, N.Y., the son of Peter and Lena (Geldof), he attended Monroe High School and SUNY Farmingdale where he was an avid soccer player and received an award for Outstanding Student in Ornamental Horticulture. On June 5, 1974, he married his beloved wife Evanelle in Ellwood City, Pa.

Geldof moved to Delaware in 1954 where he was hired as Superintendent of Brandywine Springs State Park. In 1964, he was appointed Director by the Delaware State Park Commission (Division of Parks and Recreation), where he was responsible for acquiring new land for the park systems and preserving existing state parks. He was most proud of his accomplishments in the creation of three state beach parks: Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, and Fenwick Island. In 1984, he received the Governor's Diamond State Award for his dedication to establishing outstanding parks and facilities. He retired in October 1986 after 32 years of service.

Geldof had a passion for horses. He owned, bred, trained and raced Standardbred horses for many years, while operating his farm, New Amsterdam Farms. He loved racing harness horses up and down the east coast. He was one of the original Directors of the Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund when it was reborn in 2001. His colt, P Ts Gold Dust, won both finals as a two-year-old in 2003, driven by the late Brad Hanners.

He also was a renowned horticulturist and landscape design expert, not only putting his skills to work for the Delaware State Parks but creating masterpieces for his friends and families' gardens and yards.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Evanelle; brother, Jerry (Alice); sister, Jane (Donald) Lanio; sons, Lawrence (Rosemary) and David (Tiffany); daughters, Diane (John) Giles and Lisa Mulligan; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren: and many nieces and nephews. His sister, Norma Lauweret, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, DE 19934 on Wednesday (Aug. 8) from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday (Aug. 9) at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, 500 McKennans Church Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808 at 11 a.m. Prior to the service, friends are welcome to visit with the family starting at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity in his honour.

Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Peter Geldof Jr.

(USTA)

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