Peter Robert Fleurat
Peter Robert Fleurat, born June 8, 1944, lived his life to the fullest, cared well for his family, friends and garden until his life was suddenly taken from him on January 9, 2018 when a mudslide, following the Thomas Fire, tore through his beloved home in Montecito sweeping him away. Peter’s last words to his partner, were “find a branch and hold on.”
Peter is survived by Lalo Barajas, his partner of 17 years, who was thrown from the imploding house, then helped to save a neighbor’s life and was thankfully rescued. Peter the son of Helen Volk Fleurat and Joseph Fleurat, was born in Dobbs Ferry, NY and grew up in Hawthorne, NY. He was the oldest of five children and is survived by Connie Goetz, Keith, Christy and Quentin Fleurat and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. The Barajas family mourns the loss of their beloved Uncle “Tio” Peter.
Peter was curious and adventurous leaving home as a teenager in the 1960s to travel through Europe. He then traveled the US and found his home in the Santa Barbara area in the 1970s where he built a strong community of friends. Peter, caring by nature, became a Nurse and worked at Cottage Hospital and as a Private Duty Nurse. His passions included traveling, hiking, biking and roller blading. His family and friends will always remember the good times shared with him from white water rafting in Colorado to celebrating a wedding in Croatia. He loved art and his masterpiece was his beautiful botanical garden and his koi pond in Montecito. His home was home to many his welcoming “Mi casa es su casa” spirit nurtured all as did his cooking (maybe with too much garlic and hot peppers sometimes).
The memorial celebration of Peter Fleurat’s life will be held at the Moose Lodge at 110 West Victoria St in Santa Barbara between 11:00 and 2:00 on Saturday the 3rd of February. Come to celebrate the happy, caring, extraordinary man who was Peter Fleurat.”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to help victims of the flood: United Way, Red Cross, Food bank of Santa Barbara and Direct Relief.
Peter would ask that you spend more time with those you love, take a walk with them, listen to them well, and share your enjoyment of each sunrise and sunset.