John Peach, A Man For Our Seasons

For those who spend time on, read about, converse with friends and neighbors about, or just generally know about the St. Lawrence Region known as the Thousand Islands, the name John Peach will be a familiar one. John has been writing and speaking about the River for more than two decades. Before that he was on, in, or near the River – whether fishing, duck hunting, or working on his wooden boats, of which there were more than five, including his beloved Chris Craft and a Garwood. John is one of those rare anglers who have caught not one but two muskies, the prize game fish of freshwaters. Modestly, he admits that the first one was a bit on the small size, a youngster caught by a youngster, but the other a keeper – both were released.

John was born in Ithaca, NY, but at a young age his family moved to Clinton, NY, after his father, the President of Mohawk Airlines, moved the company headquarters to Utica. John remembers his father commuting to work via his Chris Craft from a cottage on Lake Cayuga. John would later replicate that boat commute when traveling from his island to work at the headquarters of Save the River in Clayton, NY.

John graduated from St. Lawrence University with a degree in English and from the University of Pittsburg’s Executive Management Program. Upon graduation, John went to work as the sole employee for the non-profit Harbor Brown Foundation. His first job was rebuilding and maintaining four-person submersibles, which seemed logical considering his childhood ambition of becoming a professional diver. By the time John left the Foundation, its workforce had grown to more than 250.

John worked for more than forty years as an international business consultant in fields including the arts, oceanographic research, the environment and pharmaceuticals. At one time, he was managing seventeen companies stretching from the US to the Bahamas to Europe. He recalled that it was not at all unusual to catch a flight from Europe to return to his home in Princeton, only to catch the red eye back on Sunday.

In the 1950’s, John’s parents bought the St. Lawrence River Manhattan Island. What John remembers his father saying about the work required to own an island was that “there’s not much you can’t do with four boy power,” a reference to John and his three brothers. Later, the family would own Ice and Gull Islands. John and his wife bought Huckleberry Island, one of five with that name, more than 20 years ago. By now his family were not strangers to the St. Lawrence Region. His children and grandchildren represent the fifth and sixth generations living and working in the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River region. His grandfather’s and father’s families were located in Pulaski, NY.

Save the River

If you are a resident of this River Community, it is difficult not to be aware of Save the River. Save the River was founded in 1978 by a group of concerned citizens, led by activist Abbie Hoffman and Johanna Lawrenson. The organization’s founding stemmed from a proposed plan to allow winter navigation of the St. Lawrence River and Seaway, followed by a major oil spill that released over 300,000 gallons of crude oil into the River. It was one of the largest inland water spills in US history. Referred to as the ‘the slick of 76,” it was a tragic event for the river and its wildlife. John remembers it well. “You can still see a band of oil in the granite that they couldn’t get off. If you take off some boards from old boathouses that oil is still there. It’s no longer weeping but it is there.”

One of John’s early interactions with Save the River was his and his daughter’s participation in the Common Tern monitoring program, led by Executive Director Stephanie Weiss and Lee Harper. Given John’s executive career and his nonprofit work for many years, he was an ideal candidate for the Board of Save the River and in 2020 Stephanie asked him to join. Since joining the Board, he has served in several capacities, including as President from 2004-2007, on the Executive Committee, and as Treasurer leading the finance committee.

John brought more than his business acumen and financial expertise to Save the River, he also brought his passion for its mission: “to restore, preserve, and protect the Upper St. Lawrence River now and for generations to come through advocacy, education, and stewardship.” John took on the role of acting Executive Director in June 2018 and became the official ED in August of that year. He hit the ground running.

In addition to his continued support and expansion of the shoal marking program, the Tern program, the beach watch, sea bin, water levels, and others (see Save the River.com), he was a staunch supporter of the education program for children from kindergarten through high school. This program, which connects students directly to the River and instills life-long interest in the stewardship of the St. Lawrence and its natural environment, continues to expand. Last year alone, more than 1500 students participated. John brought the first Trash Free Program to life in 2020. “It just made sense and someone needed to do it.” Last year over 1,300 pounds of trash were removed from the River. He initiated testing for PFAS, the so called forever chemicals, was an early supporter and defender of Plan 2014, and before retirement joined with the Thousand Islands Land Trust to successfully advocate for protection of Blind Bay Muskie Spawning Grounds. Another program that John encouraged was the Riverkeeper Training Program, one that brings a new base of stewards every year.

Save the River was designated the Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper in 2004 and is a member of the International Waterkeeper Alliance. The Waterkeeper Alliance is the world’s fastest growing environmental movement with more than three hundred plus local Waterkeepers patrolling rivers, lakes, and costal waterways on six continents. John, as Executive Director of Save the River, also served as the Upper St. Lawrence Riverkeeper and as such was the primary voice and advocate for the Upper St. Lawrence River. He considers the Alliance a major resource for sharing information, asking questions, and offering support and guidance.

John Peach has been a lifelong, integral, and avid supporter of the River and its Community. When asked about his nickname “Thumper,” John explained that there were two versions as to how it was acquired. The first was that he banged his feet against the crib; the second is that it was his head doing the banging. It might really be that John had something important to say from early on and that this was his first attempt. How fortunate that his communication skills morphed and merged with his wide array of other skills bringing him to the forefront when called. A man for these times and these seasons!

By Allison Burchell-Robinson

Allison Burchell-Robinson's great grandfather built a cottage on Wyoming Island in 1910, and five generations have followed. She spent her childhood summers in the River, on the River or by the River. Eventually, she and her husband moved to an island in Ivy Lea Group. She is happy to return every summer to enjoy, relax and rejuvenate in an area her son referred to as the most beautiful place in the world. Many will recognize Allison for her many years of service to the Thousand Islands Association TIA serving as President then Secretary/Treasurer, and until recently, editor of TIA's "River Talk". See Allison's other TI Life contributions here.

Editor's Note: Saying thank you to this particular gentleman is a delight. Who has not been touched by his leadership?