Peter Francis Eskilson

Peter Eskilson, 86, of Windham, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after a nearly year long illness, on October 16, 2025. He was born March 2, 1939, the son of W. Earle Eskilson and Josepine Farry Eskilson. Peter was predeceased by his wife of forty-nine years, Sally Wright Eskilson, his sister Jeanne Eskilson Smaha, and his brother Richard Eskilson. Peter grew up in Portland and South Portland, often spending summers on Long Island. He attended Cathedral Grammar School and Holy Cross, before graduating from South Portland High School in 1957. After high school he attended The University of Maine at Orono, graduating in 1961. While still a student at the University of Maine he would meet, and fall in love with the girl next door, meeting when she tripped and fell over a sapling in his father’s backyard. Sally would become the love of his life. They married in February of 1962. they would be together until her passing in 2011. After graduating from the University of Maine he started his teaching career at King Jr. High School in 1962. Teaching there until transferring to Deering High School in 1981. Throughout his teaching career he coached both football and baseball. He was the first junior high school soccer coach in the City of Portland in 1962. He also taught summer school and drivers education. After retiring from the Portland School Department in 1999, he went on to teach part time at the University of Southern Maine for 22 years. Growing up Peter was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, and a diehard Red Sox fan. His favorite player was Ted “Teddy Ballgame” Williams. He loved coaching and teaching. He was an avid reader of nonfiction books, especially about Boston sports, World War II, and the Civil War. He enjoyed riding his lawn mower around the yard, and keeping himself busy at home. But his true joy was his grandchildren. He adored them all. He loved to attend their swim meets and ballgames, and many school events. Peter is survived by his sons; William Eskilson and his wife Katherine of Portland, and James Eskilson and his wife Lorena of Windham, his grandchildren; Mckayla and her husband Joey of Frederick Maryland, Mitchell and his fiancé Cassidy of Lewiston, and Harrison of Windham. Nephews Steve, Peter, and David Smaha, John and Joey Wright, and niece Tina Wright Maietta. And many more. Also, countless former students and friends. The family would like to give thanks to his nurses and doctors at Maine Medical Center, and the rest of his medical team.

Peter Francis Eskilson

March 2, 1939 - October 16, 2025

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