Peter Crimmins Imlay
October 3, 1939 - November 18, 2020
With infinite gratitude, we honor Peter Crimmins Imlay, 85, who died at home in Mendocino, CA after a tragic accident on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Peter was predeceased in 2019 by his wife of 59 years, Gretchen Grodt Imlay. Son of Robert John Imlay and Marguerite (McDonald) Imlay, he is survived by son Peter John (Sandy), daughter Linda, nephews and nieces Gabe, James, Mary Ellen, Julie, Jeanne, Catherine, Carol and Teresa, and granddaughters Edie Bliss, Frances Marie and Magnolia Jane.
A child of the depression era, he was born on October 3, 1935, in Zanesville, Ohio and grew-up roaming the land of the Imlay family nursery with his brother Michael, building matchbox cars, collecting arrowheads, raising goats and rabbits, and setting off smoke bombs in the greenhouses.
After attending a one-room schoolhouse for elementary school, he was the only child in his class to go on to high school. He graduated from Ohio State University, where he met his match in his future spouse Gretchen at the listening library where they discovered a mutual love of classical music.
In 1960, after marrying, Peter and Gretchen moved to New York City for his year-long training as a stockbroker at Bache and Co. Following his life-long fascination with the stock market, he embarked on a career as a stockbroker, graduated to institutional sales and eventually moved his family to San Francisco, CA in 1976 to open the West Coast Advest, Inc. offices.
He founded Peter Imlay Associates in 1989, an investor relations consulting firm that organized and executed industry-best roadshows for hundreds of the world’s top companies. Upon his retirement in 2005, his son Peter continued his legacy. He was highly esteemed by his clients and the many colleagues who attended his meetings over many decades. He hired many bright college-aged people to work at Peter Imlay Associates, and they grew to become members of the family during their employ. One of his greatest joys was seeing these young people go on to shine in their careers and lives.
In 2001, he and Gretchen bought a “fixer upper” house to restore in the village of Mendocino, CA. As much as he hated the construction process and mess, he drove around town looking at window mullions to replicate the historic windows in the house and took great pride and pleasure in the meticulous care with which they restored the Bettencourt house, water tower “barn” and gardens. The house was awarded the Mendocino Historic District Preservation Award in 2007.
After retirement, Peter slowly settled into small town living. He could be seen walking daily on Hall Road or along the bluffs of town. He thoroughly enjoyed his men’s book club, the Mendocino Film Festival, the incomparable Mendocino Music Festival, and the many classical music concerts on the North Coast. He loved food, was a tremendous cook and a master at making gravies and sauces – particularly the legendary sauerbraten and red cabbage he made during the holidays. He also had an enormous sweet tooth, especially for Mother’s Oatmeal Cookies and See’s Candy White Chocolate California Brittle.
Intensely curious, he was a life-long learner and voracious reader, especially of periodicals and historical books. He could often be found in the barn reading or watching CNBC and making notes in his spiral-bound notebooks. He travelled often, especially to Europe to appreciate the churches, museums, art, architecture and the beer, as well as trips with lifelong friends to Turkey, the Galapagos, Machu Piccu, New Zealand, India, and a walking tour in France. He and his wife Gretchen also treasured their annual summer trip to Washington Island, WI.
He will be remembered by those who knew and loved him for his dry wit, insight, wisdom and integrity. He was a true gentleman.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Mendocino, CA when it is safe for a gathering, sometime later this year.se wishing to express sympathy may consider a donation to the Mendocino Music Festival: https://me ndocinomusic.org/support/donate-online/