Peter McRae, of Plymouth, MA, died peacefully after a brief battle with cancer and a courageous fight with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Beloved husband of Carolyn (Costello) McRae, devoted father of Brendan and Rory McRae, loving son of Irene (Cyr) McRae, loyal brother of Suzanne (McRae) Leary, Stephanie (McRae) Wilkerson and Sean McRae, Peter was preceded in death by his father Richard McRae. Peter is also survived by his siblings’ spouses as well as many nieces and nephews whom he adored. Peter will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Peter is best known for his many years of teaching Uechi-Ryu karate. He began his school (dojo) in 1973 at the young age of 18 and has since taught many generations. Karate was Peter’s passion, and he always considered himself most fortunate to be able to do full time what he loved and to travel to Okinawa to practice his art. In conjunction with Children’s Hospital, Peter also coauthored a study on the effects of karate on children.
Peter was an avid sailor who competed in many races including those to Nantucket, Bermuda and Nova Scotia.
Peter was a member for many years of the Plymouth Rotary Club and the Plymouth Sunrise Rotary Club. He also was appointed to the Massachusetts Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports where he served three governors.
Visitation will take place on Sunday, March 4, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Bartlett Funeral Home, 338 Court Street, Plymouth. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 5, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church on Court Street in Plymouth.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.