Peter Michael Fish

Peter Michael Fish, of Charlestown RI, died at Westerly Hospital on October 10, 2025 at the age of 72. The cause of death was advanced prostate cancer complicated by CoVID 19.
Peter was a gifted photographer who is best known for his exquisite images of wildlife. His passion was the avian world. His bird photos included dazzling action shots as well as sensitive, evocative portraits. His prize winning images were consistently featured in the RI Audubon calendar. A retrospective exhibition of his photos took place at the Wellfleet Library on Cape Cod earlier this year.
Peter's interest in photography started early. At age 9 he developed and printed photographic film in a makeshift darkroom. His high school images of classmates became iconic, reflecting the early 1970s counterculture. After completing the two year program at the Rhode Island School of Photography, his subjects shifted from friends, social life, Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead concerts, to landscapes and wildlife. He enjoyed capturing images of songbirds, limicoline birds, other shore birds, owls, and other raptors.
Born in Windham, CT on July 8, 1953, Peter grew up in Storrs, CT where his family settled in the early 19th century. As a young man he bartended and cooked at the popular Depot Restaurant, eventually moving to RI in his 30s.
Peter was a talented artist with many skills: drawing, fine woodworking, and guitar making; he also loved building automobiles, cooking, music, and people. Gentle, soft spoken, and warmhearted, he maintained many lifelong friendships and was very much loved by all who knew him. His "found family" was the Kelley family, including Peter St. Laurent and Sarah Kelley of Charlestown RI.
He is survived by his brother, Henry Bernard Fish, Jr. of Candia, NH; his cousin Roger Fish of Eastford, CT; his cousin Joann Freeman of Afton, VA; and his loving partner, Patricia Raney of Wellfleet, MA. He was predeceased by his parents, Henry Bernard Fish and Vivian Audrey Nelson; brother, G. Christopher Fish, and cousin Sheryl Stephenson.
A memorial service will take place in the spring of 2026 in Mansfield, CT. Donations may be made to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic, CT.

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