Port Townsend, Washington June 22, 1940 - Aug. 10, 2014

Pete Toyne passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Aug. 10, 2014. He was 74.

He was born Melvin Gale Thomas on June 22, 1940 to Harold R. and Gladys Thomas in Parma, Idaho. He was named after his father's two best friends, but from birth his parents called him "Pete." After his father's death, when Pete was just a baby, his mother went on to marry Don Toyne, who raised Pete as his own and whose last name he used for the remainder of his life. Don and Gladys had two other boys, Chuck and Lenard Toyne. The Toyne family settled in Seattle when Pete was in seventh grade and he lived in the Pacific Northwest ever after, spending the last 27 years in Port Townsend.

When he was a teenager, his lifelong love affair with music began, and he will forever be remembered by most primarily as a fine jazz guitarist, pianist, vocalist and all-around entertainer. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1963, with a year spent in Mississippi and the remainder stationed on the island of Guam. While there, in addition to his regular duties in radio communications, he spent his free time playing music and diving. Upon his discharge, he returned to Seattle and married Peggy Kelley in 1963. Their marriage produced two children: Patti, born in 1964, and Peter, in 1966. They divorced shortly thereafter.

Pete married Eleanor Hatley in 1968. Elly was a widow with four children; Chuck, Ron, Trish and Alan. Together they played music in venues all over the Pacific Northwest, living primarily on Camano Island and later in Skagit Valley. They also were partners in a variety of business interests and raised their kids in an interesting environment, full of philosophical explorations, humor and an appreciation for music that is a lasting legacy for the future generations of their family. Pete and Elly divorced in the mid-'80s, and Elly died in 2011.

After a year spent back in Parma to take care of his ailing mother, Pete returned to Washington, settling in Port Townsend in 1987. He then reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Yvonne Panchot, in 1987, and they remained together until the end of his life. Yvonne has two children, Duane and Teresa.

To his family, Pete was a most beloved brother, father, grandfather and husband.

Pete's accomplishments include being the owner of restaurants/night clubs, and he was the founder of PEN (Political Education Now) in the '70s. He was a music theory and commercial dive instructor, as well as an author, comedian, fisherman, outdoorsman and landscapes His interests included aviation, mechanics, solar energy, nature, philosophy and religion.

Pete is survived by his wife, Yvonne Panchot; children/stepchildren Patti, Peter, Ron, Trish, Alan, Duane and Teresa; brothers Chuck and Lenard; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned for 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14, at JFK Bldg., Fort Worden. Call Patti, 531-1949, with questions.