Peter Robert Van Leight

Peter Robert Van Leight, 79, of Bonita Springs Florida, formerly of Manhattan and Bronxville, NY, sadly passed away unexpectedly, on August 7th, 2014. He was born on April 18th, 1935 in Brooklyn, NY, to Eugene and Irma Van Leight. Peter was a graduate of The Pingry School, Basking Ridge, NJ and Brown University, Providence, RI (Class of 1957). He also graduated from Aviation Officers Candidate School, Pensacola FL. He was a First Lieutenant US Navy Navigator AEWRON THREE from 1957-1961. Peter’s magazine publishing career spanned 40 years including advertising, marketing, research, promotion, production, and circulation management at major publishing NYC companies including: Time Inc. (1961-64); Conde Nast (1964-67); Kiplinger’s (1981-90); and The Harvard Business Review (1991-2000), among others. In addition, Peter was part of the launch team for New York Magazine (1968-1974) where he served as VP, Director of Advertising. Peter was a Lifetime Member of the Union League Club in NY City, and a Founding Member of Palmira Golf and Country Club in Bonita Springs, FL, where he also served on the Villa Tuscany Board. He loved his retired life as a Palmira resident, enjoying golfing, swimming, boating and was an avid reader and lifelong student of United States history and politics. Peter is survived by his wife of 26 years, Victoria Roschen Van Leight of Bonita Springs, his daughter Nicole Van Leight of New York City, son Erik Van Leight of San Clemente CA, daughter Courtney McCarthy and her husband William McCarthy, grandson William McCarthy Jr., and granddaughter Mary Catherine McCarthy of Bronxville NY. A celebration of Peter’s life will commence at Shikany’s Funeral Home in Bonita Springs, Florida, Tuesday, August 12th, 2014 with visitation from 3-5pm. Funeral services will be held the morning of Wednesday, August 13th at 10:00am in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples, Florida followed by a luncheon at the Palmira Country Club in Bonita Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Liberty Youth Ranch (a Bonita Springs FL home for disadvantaged children, http://www.libertyyouthranch.org/). His family also asks, that individuals commit a random act of kindness in their own community this week in honor of Peter’s legacy. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home

Peter Robert Van Leight

April 18, 1935 - August 7, 2014