Peter Hamilton Linsley Stanford, 86, passed away peacefully at his residence the morning of Sunday, April 26, 2026.  Born on May 31 st , 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late George L. Stanford and Kathryn M. (Hamilton) Stanford, he lived in and around the greater Philadelphia area until 1982 when he relocated his family to Columbus, Ohio.  He resided the next 44 years in the Westerville, Dublin and, most recently, Hillard communities.

He was a 1957 graduate of West Philadelphia High School where he excelled at football and other sports.  He went on to Graduate from THE Pennsylvania State University (he made me promise to put that in here) in 1963 with a degree in Business Administration.  He enlisted and served as a Medical Corpsman in the Unites States Army Reserve from 1964 to 1970 in Wilmington, Delaware, often being tasked and attached to the Veterans Affairs hospital in Philadelphia aiding veterans from the then ongoing Vietnam conflict as well as Korea and the world wars. "Pete from the Street" (as he called himself) worked as a salesman for 40 years, mostly working in the industrial packaging and steel industries.  He retired in 2005 to spend more time with his loving wife, Joan B. Stanford, before her passing in 2016.

Despite being a true "road warrior" as a salesman, often driving over 100,000 miles a year in his various territories, Pete always found time for his family when home, coaching little league, soccer and baseball teams as a parent volunteer.  He often made accommodations with his work schedule to be home to watch one of his sons' wrestling matches, band concerts or other events, leaving out the next day to travel hundreds of miles to stay on track for his bonuses.

Being a salesman inside and out, Pete was the "Walmart greeter for the world", always striking up a conversation with strangers using his wit and sometimes unique humor.  He loved music, particularly 1950's to 1980's rock and roll, and alternative music – with interests as diverse as Chubby Checker, Chicago, Journey, Warren Zevon and Depeche Mode often coming up in the same conversation. He would often quiz others on obscure trivia about bands on the radio.  In his later life he was active in his condo association and then played, and was later a secretary for, a senior men's softball team.  In his later years he and Joan were active members of Northwest Presbyterian Church, where they both attended and performed in the choir until health issues prevented him from participating.

His one true love was his family and extended family (who lovingly called him "Big Mr. Pete") in whose lives and accomplishments he took much pride and joy.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Beverly (Dillman) Stanford, his parents, his sister Jane (Stanford) Harry, his beloved Aunts, Elinor D. Stanford, Ruth Stanford, and Florence Hamilton and his brother-in-law Bill Nuneville.

He is survived by his sons Peter W. Stanford. Jon L. (Angie) Stanford and Paul E. Stanford; Grandchildren Monica Stanford , Mackenzie (Brian) Mixon, Hailey Stanford, Karson Stanford, and Kassidy Stanford;  Great-Grandchildren Penny and Ella, his loving sister-in-law Carole Nuneville; his niece Amy (Brian) Nuneville-Moshier (Chloe and  Madison), nephews Bill (Janissa) Nuneville (Greyson, Trey and Avery), Timothy Bourne, Robert Bourne and Jon Bourne, extended family Victoria (Lyons) Stanford, Elizabeth Foster, Kyle and Sarah (Smith) Thompson (Ainsley and Parker), Nick and Kim Smith (Hadley and Maeve) and dear friends Connie Iguchi, Sally Sasse and many others who loved him and enjoyed his stories.

Visitors may be received Friday, May 1 st , 2026 at the O.R. Woodyard Northwest Chapel (2990 Bethel Road, Columbus, Ohio) between 10am to 11am, with a celebration of life immediately following.  Interment will be conducted privately by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Shriners Hospitals for Children at

https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org

.