Peter Fairbanks
August 24, 1944 - March 13, 2023
Peter Maynard Fairbanks died peacefully on March 13, 2023, at his home near Ware, England. Born on August 24, 1944, in Boston, MA, his life was distinguished by a fondness for the outdoors, an inquisitive nature, and a lifelong dedication to the fine arts.
Peter grew up in Lincoln and Cambridge, MA. He attended the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, MA, and the Sterling School in Craftsbury, VT. His summers were spent in Manchesterby-the-Sea, MA, where his father was minister at Emmanuel Church. Peter spent a number of years pursuing his love for the wilderness, including as an instructor for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.
Peter studied at St. John’s College, in Annapolis, MD, where he received his B.A. in classical studies. He began his career in London with Sotheby’s Auction House, then moved to New York City where he worked at William Doyle Galleries and Phillips Auction House. He moved west to San Francisco to take a position with Butterfield’s Auction House, and then in 1984, he founded the Montgomery Gallery, which specialized in nineteenth and twentieth century European and American painting. The Gallery, which he ran for 37 years, was his life’s work.
Peter was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Rollin J. and Phyllis Maynard Fairbanks, and his brother, R. Jonathan Fairbanks Jr. He is greatly missed by his wife Pippa, Ware, England, his children, Antonia Sivyer (Zander), Mill Valley, CA, Anders Fairbanks (Miranda), Livermore, CA, grandchildren, Willa, Carolina, Skye, Quinn and Jane, sisters Jennifer Davenport (Clark), Lakewood, CO, Pamela Kirkpatrick (Rick), Swansea, MA, former spouse Cenita, Visby, Sweden, many nieces and nephews, and dear friends. Peter was an active participant in St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, San Francisco as well as St. Peter’s Church, Roydon, England. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, 2725 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94115. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.