Peter William Stades

Peter William Stades, 67, of Maynard, died 28 September 2026 following various health struggles. Born on 6 April 1959 in Concord, Massachusetts. Peter was the son of the late William John and Mary Rose (Polack) Stades and grew up in Maynard and graduated from Maynard High School in 1977. Pete then attended Middlesex Community College and Framingham State University, culminating in a Master's Degree in Psychology.

Pete worked a variety of jobs over his life, but his primary vocations were working as a drug rehab counsellor, and in later years in sales. The shift into sales allowed him to focus on his interest in jewelry, begun through the influence of his father, who had been an amateur lapidarist. Pete was especially interested in vintage and fine timepieces and was an avid trader and seller of them.

No discussion of Pete would be complete, or even truly started without mentioning his love of vehicles, particularly motorcycles. He was an active member of the Massachusetts chapter of the British Iron Association for decades and for many years was a contributor to the Motorcyclist's Post where his articles were read with great enthusiasm. Pete was renowned as an expert on British and Indian motorcycles. While his health this year had kept him from riding, he is likely making up for lost time in the afterlife, no doubt riding around heaven with Peter Fonda.

Peter spent much of his life living in Maynard, a community he had great fondness for. For many years he served on the board of Remembering Maynard's Own, a charity which raised money to support student athletes in town.

To those who had the privilege of knowing Pete, he was a larger-than-life character, and it is challenging to do him justice in the confines of an obituary. He made friends very easily and was known for his chill vibe, humor, empathy, open-mindedness, deep knowledge on a variety of subjects and as a teller of long stories. Had Pete ever written a memoir it would have undoubtedly been a compelling read.

Though he faced a life filled with serious medical challenges, he was always a vibrant and vital figure who persevered through that adversity and bounced back from many close calls over the years. Though we are saddened by the fact that those health struggles won out in the end, we take comfort in the fact he was still able to find joys in life and now is free of a body that was not living up to his abounding spirit.

Peter is survived by a family that will deeply miss him including his son MJ Stades of Berlin, sister Michele and her husband Jeff Maclaren of Somerville, sister Patti Ann and husband William McLaughlin, brother John Stades, nephew Matthew McLaughlin and his wife Anna-Lisa, niece Marya McLaughlin, and great-niece Inga-Lisa McLaughlin, all of Maynard. He is also survived by some extended family and many friends whom Pete considered as family, too numerous to name. He was predeceased by far too many of his good friends and by his god-daughter Elspeth.

Pete did not want a wake but as a devout Catholic he requested a funeral mass which will be held within the coming weeks. Those wishing to be contacted concerning that or to get in touch with the family can reach his son by email at mj.stades@gmail.com.