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Remembering Pete Sargent: A Legacy of Service, Kindness, and Adventure

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend and longtime volunteer, Pete Sargent, this past weekend.

 

Pete joined Maine Adaptive in 1995 and, for nearly three decades, gave his time, his energy, and his heart to our programs and our community. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Pete brought the same dedication and service to Maine Adaptive that he had shown throughout his life.

 

Always Putting Others First

Pete had a gift for seeing people — truly seeing them. He had a certain way of talking with someone that helped them find the positive in the day, even if they had been struggling. If a student was frustrated on the ski hill, Pete would sit with them at the side of the trail, giving them space to regroup and helping them make a plan forward. He celebrated every achievement, no matter how small it seemed, and encouraged each person to be proud of their victories.

 

That positivity carried into every program he touched. Pete was a cornerstone of our Veterans No Boundaries summer and winter family camps, where he welcomed and supported veterans and their families with warmth and care. He was also a familiar face at Sunday River for our ski and snowboard program, at the indoor climbing program at Salt Pump, and on the trails for our summer mountain

biking program.

The Snake on the Trail Story

One of the many moments that captures Pete’s spirit happened during the first summer of COVID. With programs paused, we were searching for ways to keep students engaged. On a call with Pete, he asked  Brandon what we could do. He told him we might be able to run one-on-one sessions with up to five students. Before he could even finish his sentence, Pete jumped in:
 “I’m there! Where are we going?”

 

That summer, they took Kellan — brand new to mountain biking out riding our new kids’ off-road handcycle — out to the Blackstrap flow trail. Pete, though still relatively new to mountain biking himself, was excited to join in, push his own comfort zone, and support Kellan.

 

It was a hot day, and they worked with Kellan to get comfortable and learn some skills. At one point, Pete asked him, “What else do you think you could gain besides exercise?” After some thought, Kellan said he loved animals and hoped to find some along the ride. From there, the adventure became more than just mountain biking — it became about noticing life along the way. They stopped to look at woodpecker holes, porcupine quills, signs of river wildlife, and then — the highlight — a sunbathing snake on the side of the trail.

 

Pete held up the snake in front of Kellan and his brother, turning the day into one of discovery and laughter. To this day, Kellan still tells stories about that ride.

 

That was Pete: always making sure the experience wasn’t just fun, but meaningful. Always leaving behind memories that mattered.

 

A Passion for Climbing

Pete was one of the first volunteers to sign on when we launched our indoor climbing program. Though he didn’t have much climbing experience at first, he jumped in with excitement, seeing it as a new adventure for himself and for others. He never missed a single climbing session. In fact, he was usually the first one in the parking lot, waiting for the doors to open.

 

At climbing, Pete motivated students not by pushing them toward success, but by encouraging them to learn from challenges. If a climb felt impossible, Pete would help them see the lesson in the struggle, reminding them that persistence and reflection could open new doors. His presence made the program stronger, and his encouragement inspired everyone around him to grow.

Words from Our Community

As Maine Adaptive’s Co-Executive Director Lizz shared:

 

“Pete Sargent gave so much of himself — as a veteran, a volunteer, and a friend. For nearly three decades, he shared his love of sport and continually learned new skills to pass along to Maine Adaptive students. He poured his energy into Veterans No Boundaries, where his compassion and strength touched countless lives. Pete’s kindness and unwavering dedication will forever be part of our community.”

Service Information

Pete’s son, Pete Jr., has asked us to share details of his father’s services:

 

Pete leaves behind a legacy of service, compassion, and friendship. He will be deeply missed by all of us at Maine Adaptive, and we are grateful for the countless ways he enriched our community — from the ski slopes to the bike trails, from the climbing walls to the quiet moments of encouragement that shaped so many lives.