Wayne Benjamin Peacock, 83, died peacefully at home on March 21, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Debbie Peacock, his children, Christopher (Melissa Easton) Peacock, Leslie (Jason) Jones, and Daniel (Robin) Peacock, whom he shared with his former wife, Morlean Peacock, and his grandchildren: Madeline, Benjamin, Devon, Henry, Carina, and Theodore. He is also survived by his Eau Claire, Wisconsin, cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Florence (Gilbert) and Benjamin Noyes Peacock, and his brother, Dale Peacock.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 23, 1938, Wayne grew up in the idyllic village of Wauwatosa, where he swam, ran, played tennis, and devoted himself to every sport he could find. A proud graduate of Wauwatosa High, he excelled in tennis. He ranked fifth in the United States in Boys Doubles at the age of 15, and he won the Wisconsin State High School Tennis Singles Championship in his junior and senior years.
Wayne attended the University of Michigan, earning a full tennis scholarship, and received a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Along the way, he continued to win tennis honors, and was a devoted member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
Following graduation, Wayne found his way to an interview with Factory Mutual Engineering for the job of Trainee Loss Control Engineer. Factory Mutual was a worldwide property and casualty loss prevention engineering company. This trainee position lead to a 35 year career which Wayne adored. He steadily moved up the ranks, ultimately retiring as the Senior Vice President of Engineering at Allendale Insurance. He was filled with gratitude for the opportunities he met with at Allendale, including lifelong friendships, continued learning, and extensive travel. Along the way, he had an opportunity to live and work in England for eight years. His sense of adventure and curiosity were deeply fulfilled by this experience.
Following his career at Factory Mutual and Allendale, he became a certified life coach. In recent years, he authored an autobiography.
Wayne loved sports. All sports. He loved playing and he loved watching. In addition to tennis, he was an avid runner throughout his lifetime. He began running races in the 1970s, including the Boston Marathon, and ultimately competed in the Senior Olympics when he was in his 70s. He also traveled around the globe to ski, golf, and scuba dive.
Football held a special place in his heart, first with his Packers (he was an Ice Bowl attendee) and then with his adopted team, the Patriots. Wayne was the very first person to purchase club seats in the then new stadium at Patriot Place in Foxboro, and a happy attendee at Tom Brady's first SuperBowl in New Orleans for the 2001 season.
He was also particularly proud of his accomplishments in curling, a sport he loved and excelled at. While there was no high school curling championship in Wisconsin in Wayne's senior year, there was a high school bonspiel in Portage, WI, which Wayne and his fellow teammates won. When curling made it to the Olympics, Wayne was delighted.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UN World Food Program, or to your favorite charity.
The family is planning a celebration of Wayne's life on May 7, 2022, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. at the Quidnessett Country Club, The Narragansett Room, 950 North Quidnessett Road, North Kingstown, RI.
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