Beloved Los Gatos Resident Peter Carter Dies

Beloved Los Gatos resident Peter Carter, the glue that held together the social and cultural scene in this special town, died of a tragic accident Wednesday evening.

"He was a pillar of the community in every way," said longtime friend Jonathan Knowles, who served with Carter on the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Foundation Board of Directors.

Knowles explained Carter had died after falling down the staircase at his home and emergency medical personnel were unable to revive him.

Carter, who so generously opened his beautiful Victorian Broadway home and his heart to Los Gatos insiders and outsiders, was involved in many community activities and supported many nonprofit organizations. "He was a friend to everyone," Knowles said.

Carter was also an active volunteer of the Los Gatos Music & Arts organization, the umbrella group which puts together the popular Jazz on the Plazz and Music in the Park concert series in the summer.

Carter, the co-founder of the Los Gatos Social Club, had lived in Los Gatos for over 60 years. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

At one point one of the most prominent advertising and public relations gurus in the Bay Area, Carter remained active as a member of the Downtown San Jose Rotary Club. "His reach through his service extended well beyond Los Gatos," Knowles said.

Carter had just celebrated his 70th birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

The jovial and witty Carter was also a special friend of Los Gatos Patch, supporting the online news and information platform since its launch Dec. 20, 2010. He generously contributed his beautiful photography of many events in town to this publication.

He is survived by sons Scott and Shawn, his wife Dennise, and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Alameda Family Funeral Home.