Peter M. Douglas

Peter Douglas, 88 (Douglas M. Wheeler), was born on Feb 24, 1934 in Luna Vista, CA and grew up on a ranch in San Bernardino, CA. He was the son of Joseph and Norma Wheeler, the younger brother of Donald Wheeler, and the best friend to many.

Peter was a real gem. He had the most kind and caring soul. He had exquisite taste and excellent manners. Being in his presence felt like something special every time. He was very knowledgeable, well read and very well-travelled. He created beauty everywhere he went. He had a sense of dignity, pride, and honor in everything he did – nothing was left to chance. His determination and strive to live was uncanny. He had a vigor for life and everything that came with it. He loved meeting new people and always made them feel special and interesting. He was very personable and always remembered everyone's name and addressed them properly - even the man at the fish counter – no one was too big or too small for his full attention and care. He had a great love for animals especially kitties - they were his best friends. He appreciated anybody who was willing to stay with him and have a good time.
Peter had a great sense of humor and wasn't afraid to say it like it is. He was a very proud man and had principles from which he never wavered. He was a great cook – his specialty was the French cuisine. He had pots and pans for everything, and fine china to go with it too. And the way he would put things together – it was a real magic. He was an interior designer by trade and a very fine one too. He created coziness and comfort through arranging furniture, hanging draperies, and putting paint on walls – he had a real gift. He was very creative and had a great imagination. Most of the time he lived in his own imaginary world just to escape from people's rudeness, arrogance, and vulgar. He had impeccable manners and a sense of pride and honor in everything he did or said.

Peter was a Veteran – he was in the US Air Force for 8 years and served in the Korean War. He was very proud of his service to his country.
Peter was very social and loved throwing dinner parties. He enjoyed the atmosphere he was able to create and was thrilled to share it with others. He was all about good food and stiff drinks. Five o'clock was his favorite time – it was 'cocktail time' – glass of wine, cherry, or scotch and soda – that was his favorite. He lived his life with splendor. He loved the opera and the theater. Dress to impress was his favorite thing to do as well as saying things that had the shock factor. He was very direct and to the point. He didn't like to sweat the small stuff and always looked at things from a different perspective and from a broader point of view. He lived his life with conviction and consciously knew how to project his own future through strong believe, determination, and hustle. Yes, he was a Hustler. He always lived by his own rules and for the most part of his life he was his own boss. He managed to create opportunities for himself everywhere he went – Los Angelis, CA; Dallas, TX; and Albany, NY. And he was never in a hurry – he knew how to be patient and how to give space to let things happen. He cared about everyone around him – he was constantly trying to enrich the lives of others by taking the time to get to know them better and then try to fulfil their most inner wants and desires and pass on a little bit of the magic he possessed.
Peter was very witty – he pretty much knew every saying people have ever said and would drop it unexpectedly. He loved to shock people – he would say things out of the blue in a conversation and waited to see your reaction – he loved it. He was constantly present and aware of everything and everybody around him. He was masculine but yet gentle. He had class and there was an air of superiority about him. He always had a smirk on his face like he knew something you didn't and tried to put you off guard. He loved having the upper hand and just like a true Hustler he loved winning and sticking it to you.

Peter was a dreamer – he was dreaming of a world full of beautiful things and beautiful people. He appreciated every single creature – even the mice when they invaded his house one year – he called them his pets. He was longing for someone to come and sit with him and enjoy the space he had so carefully crafted.

Peter was a great gardener – he had a green thumb. He knew all the different varieties of plants and how to care for them so they can thrive – he was just like that with people. He loved and cared for every plant he has ever put in the soil – they were his children.

Peter was very insightful. He loved reading, architecture, and antiques. He loved history and keeping up with the news and politics. He very much enjoyed going to expensive restaurants that offered top quality food and good atmosphere. He had an impeccable taste and was very picky – he knew what he liked and didn't like and most of the time he would let you know it. He was also very polite – he had a sense of decorum and proper etiquette at all times. He was never out of line and he never raised his voice or quarreled – he was always pleasant, alert, calm and collected. He spoke his mind when proper but when not – he would hold his tongue. He loved playing with people - he would start an intrigue and then sit back and enjoy it, almost like royalty, being above it all. He was mischievous like that but nevertheless - he was the best of the best. There will be nobody else like Peter Douglas - he was very special and everyone who knew him will never forget him – I sure won't!!!

Peter brought beauty and class into this world but at the end he just wanted to be left alone – just like Gretta Garbo in her final days he said!

Rest in peace, Peter – we are leaving you alone…

He is survived by his kitty Pricilla and his best friend Nadia.

With Love and Sadness,
Nadia Valkova
9/28/2022

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the Community Hospice of the Capital Region, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.