Peter John Rivers, 61, of Lexington Park, MD passed away on May 26, 2014 at his residence surrounded by his loving family after an 18-month battle with cancer.

Peter was born in Clevedon, Somerset, England on May 3, 1953 to the late Rev. Arthur Rivers and Mary Russell Rivers. He moved to the United States in 1972 and graduated from St. Mary's College of Maryland in June 1977. He earned his M.F.A. in Visual Arts from Lesley University in Massachusetts in June 2006.

On June 11, 1977, Peter married his beloved wife, Sylvia F. Vieth Rivers in Annapolis, MD. Together they celebrated almost 37 years of marriage.

Peter was employed as a historic building curator for the Historic St. Mary's City Commission for eight years prior to his retirement in October 2013. He had also worked at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. Peter took great pride in his work. He was a gifted carpenter with an artistic flair.

He particularly enjoyed classical and folk music, art, and history but he had many eclectic interests. Peter had a great sense of humor and an often unique perspective on life.

In addition to his wife, Peter is also survived by his daughter, Sarah Katherine Rivers of Annapolis; his siblings, Andrew Rivers of Lancashire, England and Elizabeth Haworth of Cheshire, England; his sister-in-law, Sonja Gebler (Michael) of Norfolk, VA; brother-in-law, Kenneth Vieth (Jayne) of Baltimore, MD; five nieces and one nephew; eight grand nieces and nephews; and many treasured friends as well as friends of Bill. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Family will receive friends on Monday, June 2, 2014 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the 1667 Brick Chapel in Historic St. Mary's City. A Memorial Service will be celebrated by Reverend John Ball at 7:00 p.m. with a reception following at the Reconstructed State House of 1676. Interment will be private.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Head and Neck Cancer Research in care of Hyunseok Kang, MD, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, 401 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231; Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650; or Historic St. Mary's City Foundation, P.O. Box 24, St. Mary's City, MD 20686.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.