Kwass, Peter Douglas
Age 63, of Boston, died peacefully at Seasons Hospice in Milton on September 25, 2016, after a brief illness. Peter was the beloved son of Janet Kwass, of Brookline, and the late David C. Kwass. He is survived by his sister, Jo-Ann, of Marstons Mills, and by many relatives, close friends and colleagues. Peter grew up in Milwaukee, WI and Arlington, VA but has long called Boston home, living first in the Fenway neighborhood and later in Jamaica Plain. He was a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Kennedy School. Peter’s life-long commitment to social and economic justice was evident in both his professional and his personal life. Peter worked as an economic development consultant for 35 years. In 2012, he established his own consulting practice after 28 year as a principal of Mt. Auburn Associates. He also served on the board of directors of the Fenway Community Development Corporation for 23 years, including 4 years as president, and was a member of the board of Groundwork Somerville for 16 years. Underlying all his efforts was his firm conviction that economic development must benefit the entire community, not just some. Peter was well aware that when he was growing up, he had opportunities that too many children in Boston and other communities around the country do not have. He believed passionately that every child deserves a quality education and that achieving this goal should be our society’s highest priority. Because he also viewed this as his personal responsibility, he volunteered as an academic mentor to students at Fenway High School through Boston Partners in Education. Donations in Peter’s memory may be sent to: Boston Partners in Education, 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston 02210, or http://bostonpartners.org/. A memorial gathering to celebrate Peter’s life will be held later this fall.