Peter Weeks' love of his family and of the Middleburg area were with him until he died peacefully Sept. 12th at his home on Oak Hill Farm in Aldie, on a beautiful Sunday morning. His family was at his side at the conclusion of his long and hard fight against the complications of Parkinson's.

Peter's happy and productive life began with his birth in South Hampton, Long Island on Nov. 11 1932. Although his family moved on to York, Pa., he returned every summer to his families' houses on Fire Island and Amagansett. His love of sand and sea never left him, and he made sure his three wonderful daughters grew up with that same love.

A graduate of The Citadel, in Charleston, S.C., Peter was a member of the school's champion swim team. After graduating with honors in History he went on to Ranger and Airbourne schools. Although his performance there was greatly appreciated and he was asked to stay, he chose to go to Europe.

Instead of ending up in a Ranger company, he found himself in an armored division for which he had had no training. Lunching with a friend in 7th army personnel, Peter asked for his help in finding an opening at 7th Army headquarters. His friend said he knew of one, but didn't think Peter would like it. Peter jumped at the chance and soon was named Escort Officer for the 7th Army Symphony.

The Symphony included very talented musicians, all from the best music colleges in the country. Under the auspices of the State Department the group traveled and performed all over Europe helping to heal the fractured countries with music. So began Peter's life long love of classical music.

On a break from his travels he skied at a favorite area in the Austrian Alps called Zurs. It was there he met his wife. Doris, who happened to be on holiday from her work with the Government. An avid skier from California, she and Peter quickly found they had many common interests: music, art, and travel.

After meeting in many of the glorious cities of Europe and surrounding countries, Peter found his service days were over so he stayed on in London where his recently married sister was living. When Doris' job ended at last they made plans to marry and live in Washington, D.C. when they returned to the States.

While Peter studied for his masters in International Relations at Georgetown, Doris taught art for the Arlington Public Schools. They spent several happy years in Georgetown, but finally decided to move to the country with their young daughter and raise their family there.

They chose Middleburg and Upperville as their home and Peter's love of the area became his driving force as his family grew. Soon he was shopkeeper of the very elegant Middleburg Saddlery, and he was also working with an old well-established skiwear manufacturer for whom he designed and traveled to help with marketing, an occupation that also allowed him to take his family along to all the great ski areas of the west.

Peter's shop was one of the first speciality shops in Middleburg, and it was his hope that others would follow and create a friendly English type of village. He was well pleased and very proud of Middleburg's evolution as a beautiful and charming village.

Over the years, Peter restored and opened five shops through the years. Each shop was quite different and charming. His sense of humor and wit combined with his impeccable taste were evident in all he created and accomplished, and his love of interior design and restoration work continued long after selling The Saddlery.

He is survived by his wife Doris, his daughter Madeline Weeks of New York City, his daughter, Judith and her husband Michael Minadeo and their daughter, Josephina (Josie); daughter Susan Weeks of Burlington, Vt. and son, Jasper Wygmans. He is also survived by one sister, Carol Geczy of Anchorage Ak.

All charitable donations may be sent in Peter's memory to Capital Hospice, 209 Gibson St. NW #202, Leesburg, Va.20176