Peter Thomas Kruse November 28, 1968 – September 20, 2013

A memorial was held in Mill Valley, CA.
 Peter Thomas Kruse of Mill Valley, passed away September 20, 2013, from cancer. Peter was born November 28, 1968 in San Jose, CA and grew up in rural Gilroy in a wine-making family. He was a winemaker at several California wineries of distinction and at one time a brewer at Gordon Biersch in San Jose.
 During his too-short lifetime, Peter had countless interests, which led to studies in everything from fire fighting to ceramics to politics to environmental science at several community colleges and UCSC. His curious mind led him to Spain, Portugal, Croatia, and many times to Mexico, where he enjoyed the culture, food, and people. He once worked as a body piercer in Santa Cruz and founded Lucky Jewelry in the 1990’s.
 Peter was well-loved by his aunts and uncles, and was his cousins’ favorite. He will be sorely missed by his many good friends; he was a gatherer of interesting people and everyone who met him was enchanted by his quick mind, sense of humor, warmth and kindness.
 Peter was the loving husband of his devoted wife, Blair Campbell, and father of four year old daughter, Wilhelmina (Willa). He was the son of Susan Lynch Kruse and Thomas and Karen Kruse, all of Gilroy. Peter is also survived by his brother, David Kruse, sister, Mimi Kruse Trenholme, brother-in-law Phil Trenholme, nephew and niece, Thomas and Grace, and step-siblings Dennis and Jeff Kerns, and Jennifer Kerns MacLennan, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was the grandson of the late Hilda Lynch of Gilroy.