Peter (Pietro) Brigante, 86, a lifelong resident of Colchester, peacefully entered into eternity at his home on Monday, February 9, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on January 15, 1940, at the family homestead, located on their fruit and vegetable farm on Malletts Bay Avenue, the son of Italian immigrants Pietro and Cecilia (Giacoletto) Brigante. He was proud of and celebrated his genuinely Italian heritage throughout his life. Peter attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in Colchester and graduated from Winooski High School in 1958. On May 6, 1961 he married Margaret Gonyo in Holy Cross Church in Colchester, where Peter and his family remained faithful, supportive communicants.

To make a home for their growing family, Peter and Margaret purchased a camp and large property on Malletts Bay Avenue and converted it into a beautiful, year-round home. Peter performed most of the carpentry and construction work himself, including hand-digging a full basement!

Peter worked on the Brigante family farm from childhood, eventually together with his brothers Coke and John, carrying on their parents' legacy as the second-generation owners and operators of the well-regarded family business. To supplement his income during the early years of marriage, Peter worked a second job he thoroughly enjoyed at the former Essex Bowling Lanes.

Peter was an extraordinarily talented man. In addition to his success as a farmer, gardener, and carpenter, he could play the accordion, was a gifted cook and self-taught artist. His scenic paintings and hand-painted figures now grace the homes of family, friends, and clientele who sought after and purchased his creations.

Peter was meticulous about even the smallest details in every endeavor he undertook, so much so that family and friends often praised his accomplishments as "perfect." He was humbled by these frequent accolades, yet, in keeping with his wonderful sense of humor and to amuse his family and friends, he incorporated "PerfectPeter" into his email address. Peter graciously accepted the ribbing that naturally accompanied this choice. Still, and indeed, he was a humble, consummate perfectionist.

Peter faithfully encouraged and supported his sons, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces during their school years and sports endeavors, when they participated in wrestling, basketball, track, and soccer, including at the Junior Varsity and Varsity levels at Colchester High School, as well as on town recreational and competitive travel teams.

He was a passionate outdoorsman and sportsman, meticulously maintaining his home, vegetable garden, and property, and enjoying deer hunting and fishing. Peter also defined what it is to be an avid fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants, Boston Celtics, and Golden Gloves boxing.

Peter is known for and will be fondly remembered for his deep faith, unyielding love for, and devotion to his family and friends, as well as his quiet dignity, humility, and generosity. He was in every way an exemplary and beloved Italian patriarch to his family.

Peter is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Margaret (Gonyo) Brigante; their sons and daughter, Peter J. Brigante and his fiance Jo Ann Thibault, Linda Brigante-Sexton and her husband Alan, Paul Brigante and his wife Jeannie, David Brigante, Michael Brigante, and daughter-in-law, Holli Jo Brigante; grandchildren, Peter, Adam (Jessica), Andrew (Meggan), Christopher, Ryan, Alec, Katie (Dylan), Maggie, Sophia, Paxton, and Dayton; great-grandchildren, Randy, Lilliana, William, Peter, Eliouse, and a great-grandchild due this year; a couple very dear to us and thought of as grandchildren, Brenton and Emily Towne and their son Carson; his brothers and sister, Cosimo "Coke" Brigante, John (Giovanni) Brigante, Catherine Halnon, and Frank and his wife Dorothy Brigante; Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and family in Italy.

In addition to his parents, Peter is predeceased by his son, Richard Joseph Brigante; his grandson Gregory Brigante Sexton; his sisters Frances and her husband Raymond Bosley, Mary and her husband George Halnon, his brother-in-law Ray Halnon; his sisters-in-law Lorraine and Velma Brigante; and his nephews John, Frank, and Sammy Brigante.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 16, at 11:00am in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church with interment to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Peter's memory may be made by mail to: UVM Cancer Center Fund, c/o UVM Foundation, 411 Main St., Burlington, VT 05401 (please note on memo line of check contribution is in memory of Peter Brigante), or online: go.uvm.edu/cancermemorial (under "Designation" please select "UVM Cancer Center Fund," and under "Gift Instructions" please note that the contribution is in memory of Peter Brigante).