BIRD Peter A. Of Hollis, NH., formerly of Lexington, MA., passed away on June 12, 2023. Beloved husband of the late Patricia Frawley Bird. Son of the late Kenneth and Jean Bird. Devoted father of Jonathan Bird and his wife Christine of North Reading. Loving grandfather of Elise and Liam Bird. Brother of Christopher, Duncan, Gregory and Jeffrey Bird. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Peter received his degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT, in 1965. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and attended Officer Training School and Pilot Training. He flew all over the world as an aircraft commander in the C-141A Starlifter, and then finished his USAF career as a Captain with a tour in Vietnam in 1971 as a C-7A Caribou pilot. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Cross of Galantry, the Air Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1973 he began his commercial pilot career with Eastern Airlines, where he met his wife Pattie. When he retired from the airlines in 1983, he returned to engineering, where he became an expert in computer publishing systems for the printing industry for another 23 years.
Peter served actively on the board of directors of the C-7A Caribou Association. This war veterans’ organization serves USAF personnel who had the distinct honor of having been assigned to the Air Force C-7A aircraft, one of the most unique airplanes ever flown by the USAF. Peter loved woodworking, computer programming, sports cars, country music, and collecting everything from stamps to tools. But his favorite activity was going to Maine with his grandchildren in the summer.
Visiting hours will be held at the P.E. Murray - F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 2000 Centre St. West Roxbury on Friday, June 16th from 5-8pm. A Funeral Service will be conducted in the funeral home on Saturday, June 17th at 10:30am. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Peter’s memory to C-7A Caribou Association 12402 Winding Branch, San Antonio, TX. 78230.