Peter Thrasher, a longtime resident of Provincetown and North Truro, died on April 21, 2023. He was 52.
A native of Newton, Peter was the son of Jody Thrasher, born on Aug. 5, 1970. He made the Outer Cape his home in his early 20s, and though he traveled the world, he always found his way back.
A high school friend, Wyoming Quinn, introduced Peter to Provincetown. He cut a swath through its restaurant scene, working in kitchens as everything from line cook to head chef.
This journey led to Babe’s Mediterranean Bistro, which he owned and operated for five years, serving Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine to an enthusiastic public until the realities of running a seasonal business caught up with him.
Peter also made his mark on Provincetown’s lowbrow cultural scene, publishing Squid magazine with collaborator Nicholas Fillmore and hosting a blues and soul program on Monday nights on WOMR.
Peter was a self-taught guitarist and bassist, a talented draftsman and collage-maker, and author of numerous stories and screenplays as well as an unpublished children’s book.
Peter thought nothing of throwing a few things in a bag and heading off to Turkey, Morocco, India, Mexico, Europe, and parts unknown, often returning with rugs and art that piled up around his house.
He had a quick wit and a penchant for corny “dad jokes,” and he was known to laugh in his sleep almost every night. He was a consummate gift-giver, scouring the internet all year for the perfect birthday or Christmas present.
Peter bought and renovated an antique house in North Truro in 1998 with his longtime partner, Erica Gorn. They raised two sons, Henry and Noah.
He hosted poker games with a revolving cast of characters and kept everyone laughing until the wee hours. He cooked recipes from across the globe but always reserved Wednesdays as Bolognese nights.
Peter’s first and last jobs were in libraries. In the early 1980s, he worked at the Newton Free Library around the corner from his childhood home, and in 2014 he joined the staff of the Truro Public Library.
Beloved for his genial and benevolent disposition and encyclopedic knowledge of movies, Peter worked as Truro’s youth and tech services assistant. He ran children’s programs including the Junk Drawer Science and Lego Club and was known affectionately to his coworkers as “Project Monkey” for his willingness to take on any task, however quixotic. He was the go-to resource for mystery, crime, and science fiction recommendations for readers of all ages.
Peter lived a life full of passion, love, and laughter but also struggled with depression, and he ultimately died of complications from cirrhosis.
He is survived by Erica Gorn, his partner of over 30 years; sons Henry and Noah; his mother, Jody Thrasher of Newton; sister Meghan Thrasher of Brighton; and a sprawling extended family.
Peter’s many friends miss him deeply. If he were here, he would say that, in lieu of flowers, go buy yourself something nice.
