Peter A. Flewelling

Peter A. Flewelling, 71, of Townsend, Massachusetts passed peacefully on February 5, 2025, following a brief battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family with the kind support of Southern Vermont Wayfinders. Peter was predeceased by his father, Herbert E. Flewelling, M.D. (in 1954), his mother, Jean Flewelling Hyde (in 2003), and his stepfather, Donald B. Hyde, Jr. (in 2009). He is survived by his seven siblings, James Flewelling and his wife Sandra of Bedford, MA.; Barbara Hinkel and her husband Edward of North Smithfield, RI; Betsy Baird of Sterling, MA; Douglas Hyde and Theresa Parsons of Hudson, MA; Elizabeth Hyde and George Libby of North Yarmouth, ME; Virginia Hyde of Wilton, CT; Melanie Hyde of Sterling, MA; his sister-in-law, Celia Smith Hyde of Sterling, MA; and nieces and nephews and their families. Peter also is survived by numerous members of his extended family.

Peter was born on February 4, 1954, in Peterborough, NH to Herbert and Jean (Tirsbier) Flewelling. In 1962 after his widowed mother married a widower, Donald Hyde, Peter was raised in Stow, MA and graduated from Nashoba Regional High School, Bolton, MA. 

Peter was a bass vocalist who participated in memorable vocal experiences singing with the Massachusetts All-State Music Festival and with the Concordia Youth Chorale under the direction of the dean of the former Boston Conservatory of Music (now the Boston Conservatory at Berklee) performing in six European countries in 1972.

Peter was a graduate of Bancroft School of Massage Therapy in Worcester, MA and he owned and operated the massage therapy business, A Hand in Healing, for many years. Peter had massage therapy clients who followed him from Massachusetts to New Hampshire and back to Massachusetts again as Peter moved locations. Peter was proud to be the owner of a business where renumeration included hugs of appreciation.

Peter was an accomplished craftsman who took pride in renovating his homes. His latest home in Townsend, built in 1820, became his project for the last thirteen years, where he meticulously restored its charm. Additionally, Peter was an amazing gardener taking pride in his gardens and produce, even when some of the produce was not necessarily sanctioned as legal by the government of the state in which it was grown.

Peter was an independent person who loved living off the land and living a simple life, yet one filled with adventures including hosting ‘freeze-out’ outdoor parties for almost two decades, a mind-altering road-trip to the former Squaw Valley and California, and a momentous trip to Moscow and Russia. 

Peter would love to be remembered as one ‘Out-Standing in His Field’ – an outstanding massage therapist and a gardener out standing in his field.

A memorial celebration is planned for a later date. Peter and his family would like to recognize the amazing support of the individuals at Southern Vermont Wayfinders and Grace Cottage Hospital, Townshend, Vermont. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Patient Choices Vermont (www.PCV.org), P.O. Box 671, Shelburne, VT 05482. Memorial services to be provided by Jellison Funeral Home, located in Peterborough, NH.