Peter Robert Fleurat
Peter Robert Fleurat, adventurous son of Helen Volk Fleurat and Joseph Fleurat, was born in Dobbs Ferry, NY, June 8, 1944. He was the oldest of five children including Connie Goetz, Keith, Christy and Quentin Fleurat. He lived his life to the fullest and enthusiastically dedicated himself to his family, friends and garden. His life was suddenly taken in the Thomas Fire Mudslide on January 9, 2018. Reflecting his steadfast love, concern, and care for others, Peter’s last words to his partner, as the house split into pieces beneath them, were “find a branch and hold on!”
Lalo Barajas, his partner of 17 years, who was also swept from their Montecito house in the inundation was able to follow Peter’s final advice, grab a branch, and even save a neighbor’s life before he and the neighbor were rescued.
Peter will be profoundly missed by his partner Lalo, his friends, his family, and his many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. The Barajas family likewise mourns the loss of their beloved Uncle “Tío” Peter.
Peter was inquisitive and full of energetic enthusiasm. Leaving home as a teenager in the 1960s to travel through Europe, he then explored 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 at Cottage Hospital and served as a Private Duty nurse for local artist Dan Lutz and his wife Dorothy. In addition to travelling, his passions included cooking, hiking, biking, gardening, and roller blading. His family and friends will always remember the good times shared with him from white water rafting in Utah, to safari in South Africa, from exploring ancient ruins in Latin America, to celebrating a wedding in Croatia. He loved music and art and his life’s masterpiece was his magnificent yet serene botanical garden and koi pond surrounding his Montecito home. His hospitality was boundless as his “Mi casa es su casa” spirit nurtured all who came to visit, alongside his dazzling culinary skills (with plenty of garlic and hot peppers).
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, or if you would like to help Ralph directly please visit GoFundMe page online gf.me/u/gfj479
Peter himself 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 you can with them.