AUGUSTA - Peter Gregory Beals, 65, of Augusta and Welaka, Fla., died Wednesday evening, July 21, 2004, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta. He was born in Portsmouth, N.H., on Aug. 8, 1938, the son of Alton Nickerson and Annie Josephine (Burke) Beals. Peter grew up in Rye Beach, N.H., graduating from Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, N.H., in 1956. He served in the Navy before working many years at Bradford Marine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Peter enjoyed a great love of the water and boats. In 1986 he was Rookie of the Year of the Florida Inboard Racing Club. One of Peter's lifelong dreams was to build his own boat, and with the help of many friends and his wife, the lobster yacht Whatever was launched at Kittery Point in 1998. Peter was then able to achieve his next dream, making the trip from Maine to Florida by boat, and several trips thereafter. Peter was a member of St. Andrew's Lodge 56 in Portsmouth, having recently received his 40-year pin. He was also an active member of the Antique Outboard Motor Club, attending many meets both in Maine and Florida. Peter will be missed by many friends and especially his lifelong friend George Monyahan of Ossipee, N.H. He was predeceased by his father, Alton 'Nick' Beals. Peter is survived by his mother, Annie Burke, of Boynton Beach, Fla.; his wife, Ellen Beals, of Manchester; his stepdaughter, Tammy Day, of Lexington, Ky.; his mother-in-law, Jeannette Oliver, of Bath; and his 'adopted' grandparents, Mater and Pater Thrash, of Lake Worth, Fla. A celebration of Peter's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Masonic Home, 813 Beech St., Manchester, N.H. 03104.