Peter James Navari of Grand Isle, Vermont, passed away on April 11, 2026, at the age of 82. He died at home surrounded by family. The cause was congestive heart failure.

Peter was born on April 29, 1943, in Proctor, Vermont, to Peter and Anna Navari. His father nicknamed him "Hop" because he simply could not—and would not—sit still. He never did sit still.

He graduated from Proctor High School in 1961, served in the Air National Guard, and then moved to Burlington to attend Elie Academy of Cosmetology to become a hair stylist.

In 1962, he began working at O'Brien's Salon, where he learned the trade and how to run a salon. In 1966, with the encouragement of Mr. O'Brien, Peter ventured out on his own and opened LaBelle Coiffure Beauty Salon at 236 Main Street in Burlington. The salon thrived for nearly 45 years. The location was what brought people in. First-year college students needing their first haircut away from home and women needing their hair done every week. Peter's kindness and warmth kept them coming back. Students would bring their parents in to meet him and many local clients returned faithfully for more than 30 years and became extended family.

By age 24, Peter was married with a two-year-old son, David, and an infant daughter, Sandy, he owned a home and the building that housed his salon and two rental apartments above it. A tireless worker, he balanced raising a family, attending church, renovating rental properties, and running the salon. Even so, he found time to teach David and Sandy to ski, to drive, to fish and hunt. He made sure to have special, alone time with his children. He would take David to Montreal to root against the Montreal Canadiens, and he took Sandy downtown to Upton's on Church Street to play arcade games. Just her and her dad.

In 1983, Peter married the love of his life, Deb Charbonneau. They shared 43 beautiful years together – running the salon, ice-fishing, traveling to Martha's Vineyard, and entertaining friends and family, first at their home in South Burlington and later on Grand Isle.

In the 1990s, grandchildren began to appear and Peter loved being Grandpa to his four grandchildren – Alex, Bianca, Anna, and Isaac. He taught them all to fish. He took them skiing. He showed them how to work in his beloved woodworking shop.

Peter had a deep love for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting ducks, deer, and turkeys alongside family, especially his cousin and best friend, Billy Navari, with whom he spoke nearly every day for the last 45 years of his life.

For 30 years, Peter and Deb lived in South Burlington, where they served as ushers at St. John Vianney Church, were active members of the Elks Club, and frequently hosted lively pool parties for friends and family. In 2014, Peter and Deb purchased a peaceful lakeside cottage in Grand Isle. There, they enjoyed fishing, family gatherings, and watching breathtaking sunsets over the Adirondacks.

Peter will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched with his kindness, generosity, and unwavering work ethic. He is survived and sorely missed by his wife, Deb Navari, his children David and Sandy, their partners Sarah and Chris, his grandchildren Alex, Bianca, Anna, and Isaac, his sister Marie, and his many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 18, at 2:00 pm at The Barns at Lang Farm (Garden Barn), 45 Upper Main St, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Dinner Reception will follow at 4:00 pm