1938 – 2014

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Peter Montpelier, 75, a prominent Maine banker and native of Norway, died Wednesday, July 2, in Fort Myers, Fla.

Peter was born on Oct. 15, 1938, in Norway to Camille and Alice Montpelier. His mother, Alice, was also a banker and well-known in the community, and she served for many years as an officer of Norway National Bank. Peter grew up in Norway with his brothers and was educated in the Norway schools. He graduated from Bliss Business College in Auburn. He served in the U.S. Air Forces SAC command and was stationed at bases in the U.S. and in Marrakesh, Morocco. During his banking career, he attended numerous seminars and advance training courses sponsored by the banking industry.

Peter’s banking career started at the teller’s window of Norway Savings Bank in April 1965. Early in his employment at Norway Savings Bank, he was named the manager of the bank’s first branch office in Bridgton. He became the treasurer of the bank in 1976 and succeeded G. Freeman Hall as the bank’s 14th president in 1978 and the youngest to serve as President of the bank at the age of 40. Under his leadership in his first 10 years, the bank expanded by opening branch offices in Fryeburg, Naples, South Paris and Windham and made a broad expansion of the bank’s landmark home offices on Main Street in Norway, which was completed in 1988. Peter retired as president and CEO of Norway Savings Bank on Dec. 31, 2000, after 22 years in this role. He stayed on as the chairman of the board of directors for an additional five years. At the time of his retirement from the board, the bank was one of the largest Mutual Savings Banks in Northern New England with 10 branches.

Peter served his home town as a selectman for nine years. He also served in various capacities for the Oxford Hills Area Development Corporation, Norway revitalization Committee and the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce. He was the chairman of the board of trustees of Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, chairman of the Savings Bank Association of Maine and served on the Executive Committee of the State Association of Mutual Savings Banks.

Peter married Elaine Richard of South Paris on April 20, 1960, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Norway. They had three children, Shelly Shibles, Pam Montpelier and Richard Montpelier. Through the years, Peter always looked forward to the month of March when he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren watching the Red Sox play baseball at spring training in Fort Myers, Fla.

Peter is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elaine; his daughters Shelly and husband, Brian, of Waterford, Pam Montpelier of Fort Myers, Fla.; son, Richard and wife, Elizabeth, of Washington, D.C., grandchildren, Eric Mozynski, Matthew Mozynski, Kimberly Montpelier, Bret Stuart, Ryan Stuart, Caitin Shibles and Amy Brodis.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, George and Lewis.

Condolences can be expressed at www.chandlerfunerals.com.