Peter John Haley, 77, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in his home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with his wife and son by his side, after a long, brave battle with cancer.
Peter was born in Watertown, N.Y., the son of John and Nora Haley. Peter graduated from Immaculate Heart Central High School, following which he matriculated at the University of Notre Dame. Peter majored in English and spent a year studying in Angers, France, where he made friends from all over the world and traveled from Germany to the southernmost tip of Spain. Peter returned to Notre Dame with longer hair and fluency in French.
Following his graduation from Notre Dame, Peter began working as a VISTA volunteer in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which was then a struggling working-class neighborhood. Peter quickly made friends and learned Spanish, which was the native language of most of his neighbors. Though Peter had already traveled widely, his time in Williamsburg was eye-opening. Peter fell in love with the vibrancy of New York City.
Taken with city life, Peter began to chronicle it as a reporter at The Brooklyn Phoenix and other news outlets, including The New York Post. Peter was selling advertising for The Phoenix when he walked into Zig-Zag, a popular clothing boutique, and met Marilyn Kaplan, a shopgirl for the store. Peter made the sale. The two were wed on April 11, 1981, at the Montauk Club, in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Peter and Marilyn Haley had their first and only son, Daniel John Haley, on
March 25, 1986.
Peter continued his career of public service, working for the Youth Bureau of New York City, and later returned to his media background as a vice president at the North American Precis Syndicate (NAPS), a public relations firm. Peter worked at NAPS for many years, earning the respect and friendship of his colleagues and clients, as well as the income to buy a house with Marilyn in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, and pay for Dan’s education at Xaverian High School and
Columbia University.
Peter was deeply loved by his friends and family, a natural leader who anchored a constellation of souls. Everyone felt comfortable with Peter because he was a man who was comfortable with everyone. Peter loved the ocean, but the swimming pool at the Fort Hamilton Community Club was a close second. Even in his later years, Peter would run across the diving board, jumping and gliding into the water. Peter took great joy in being here with us, in life and living.
Peter is survived by his wife, Marilyn E. Haley, his son, Daniel J. Haley, his brother, Thomas M. Haley (Yolette), and his sister, Julie Haley. He was predeceased by his parents, John A. and Nora W. Haley, and his brother, Mark S. Haley.
A service for Peter was held at McLaughlin & Sons Funeral Home, on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with his burial following on the morning of Monday, May 18, 2026, at Ocean View Cemetery in Staten Island, N.Y.
