Peter Robert Lawrence
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother & Friend July 23, 1936 – June 13, 2024

Peter passed away peacefully at home in Fairfield, Utah at the age of 87 on Thursday, June 13, 2024. He was born July 23rd, 1936, in Rayners Lane England to Cyril and Dorothy Lawrence, the second of 3 children. His childhood included many life-shaping experiences due to World War II, where he slept in a bomb shelter under the dining room table, carried gas masks to school, did air raid drills and listened to endless discussions of ration books and Victory gardens. After the war his youth included wonderful bike rides to the grounds of Windsor Castle where the locals could picnic and enjoy the beautiful Royal property. He also developed a life-long love of sports.

After completing school, Peter briefly worked with his father as an apprentice tool maker before joining the Fleet Air Arm Division of the Royal Navy on May 5th, 1953, and became an Airframe Mechanic. He learned to sleep in a hammock under the aircraft catapult launcher, but his athletic prowess earned him opportunities to represent the Navy in various sports where he competed in tennis, football (soccer), and track and field (High Jump). Peter also played football (soccer) for Yeovil Town, a Semi-Professional team where he was a tenacious goalkeeper.

Peter married the love of his life, Sylvia Hills on August 17, 1957, at St. Paul s Church in South Harrow, England. Together they had three children, Gary (Jan), Karen (Randy) and Kathy (Brett) and three wonderful grandchildren who he adored, Peter (Amanda), Evan and Taylor.
In January of 1961, Peter and Sylvia emigrated to the United States with their 18-month-old son Gary on the SS America to New York, with a plan to live in California near family. Once in California, he used his incredible work ethic to get a job in construction. Later the family was blessed with the arrival of his two daughters Karen and Kathy. His building and remodeling skills were acquired there but he went on to become a Sales Representative for the Formica Corporation for 20+ years. The final page of his work life was a Sales Manager for JB Tile Company prior to retirement.

Peter s love of the outdoors, camping, sports and horses, brought the family to Utah in 1977. In 1984 he embarked on another great achievement, Millbrook Farms, an equestrian facility which started in the town of Lehi, now Saratoga Springs. Peter built the indoor arena, stalls, tack rooms, bathrooms, arenas, cross country jumps, a full water jump complex, more arenas, turn out shelters, a hay storage building, jump standards, cavaletti, and so on while simultaneously sculpting the grounds to a beautiful green oasis for riding all the Olympic equestrian disciplines. His motto was do it right, reuse anything you can and make it last.

In 2009 he marshaled the entire operation to move to the current location in Fairfield, Utah. Millbrook Farms is well-known in the equestrian community for hosting horse shows, symposiums and clinics specializing in the discipline of dressage. This second chapter entailed taking down and moving an enormous indoor arena, along with the front office, a full kitchen, storage rooms and bathrooms. He built more arenas, turnouts and another 12-stall barn. He had a solid vision for how he wanted the new place to be and did everything necessary to set up the operation in top form.  His generosity and hard work have created a top training and show facility which is enjoyed by riders from many states and throughout Utah.

Peter was also an avid and competitive tennis player and golfer. He loved fishing and later in his life took to bike riding and rowing.

Peter, Sylvia and Gary all became citizens of the United States in June of 1971. The oath of citizenship he swore was a serious commitment to Peter. He voted in every election and took his civic duties seriously. He was always involved in his communities and made a difference wherever he could. He served on the Planning Commission for Saratoga Springs and the City Council and Mayor Pro Tem for Fairfield. He was loved and respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

He was the best husband, father and especially grandfather. His greatest joy without question was his family, and his definition of family extended far beyond relatives to coworkers, clients and friends. Peter created an amazing legacy of a life well lived. He will be greatly missed.

Preceded in death by his parents, Cyril and Dorothy, and his brother Ray.
Celebration of Life Saturday, July 13, 2024 – 6:00 pm Millbrook Farms
567 East 250 South Fairfield, UT 84013