AUGUSTA - Peter J. Tambone died peacefully early Saturday morning, Aug. 6, 2005, in Augusta, after a brave effort to defeat lymphoma. He was 67 years old. Born in 1938 in the Bronx, N.Y., he was the first child of Clara and Vito Tambone. Faced with deep poverty and a fatherless home, he helped raise his two younger sisters, Marie and Florence, through all means possible, washing windows, delivering the Bronx Post, begging for food. Maturing early, his extraordinary talent and intellect transcended poverty and raised him to great success, and helped to bring his family out of hardship. Accepted to the New York City High School of Music and Art, his best friend there was Charles Gwathmey, and through the generous support of his father, Robert Gwathmey, was introduced to and became a part of the New York City intellectual and artistic community. Veteran of the National Guard, he declined his acceptance to West Point and attended Cooper Union. Rising to the executive levels of Madison Avenue ad agencies, his fondest memories were his time at Wunderman Worldwide and as the first employee of Rapp and Collins, where he helped pioneer direct marketing. His career included leading the accounts of Capitol Records, Bristol Meyers, Time-Life, Clairol, Burlington Industries and many more. His accomplishments included inventing the in-flight catalog, developing the Capitol Record Club, obtaining the first Zip code issued to a private business and providing the testing grounds for the first IBM mainframe computers as the CEO of Greenland Studios in 1973 in Miami, Fla. Endlessly devoted and in love with his beautiful and talented wife, Barbara Tambone, born in 1945, they had two children, Adam, born in 1969, and Brian, born in 1973. He lovingly cared for her through her battle and ultimate loss to breast cancer in 1997. They are finally together again. Self-made despite horrific challenges, his dignity, style and ambition created a foundation of means, such that his children never had to face the challenges he did. He kept his childhood promise. Retired in Maine, he served as the president of his local school board, treasurer/board member of Hospice Volunteers of Kennebec County, board of advisors member of KidsPeace of New England. Devoted husband, wonderful father, caring brother and son, he leaves behind his two children, two sisters and his many loving friends, and lives on through them. A memorial service will be held at noon Wednesday at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta.