FATHER PETER TOWLE, OHI

I was born on May 11, 1946, in Philadelphia, PA., in the birthplace of liberty, The US Navy, The US Marine Corps, and the home of the American Book of Common Prayer. Primary education at an Episcopal prep school in Philadelphia and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, a parochial school staffed by Dominican Nuns, and finally, a public school where I graduated in June 1966. Before enlisting in the US Army in November 1966 and during high school, I worked on a horse farm, a tree nursery, and a lumber yard.

Upon joining the Army, I was ordered to Fort Jackson, SC., for basic training. From there, I received orders to Fort Gordon, GA., for Military Police School and was assigned to a permanent party at Sandia Base, NM.

While at Sandia Base, I was tasked with law enforcement, traffic control, security, and control of classified, sensitive information and material. I maintained this task, along with perimeter access and management of the base, until I received my Honorable Discharge in November 1969.

Having been married on June 16, 1968, we lived in Albuquerque after leaving the Army until we moved back to our childhood home in Easton, MD. We worked in route sales at a commercial dry cleaning/laundry and did likewise with Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

In February 1980, I enlisted in the US Navy and was ordered to Great Lakes RTC, ILL. for Boot Camp and then to Dam Neck, Va., for radar training. I was then ordered to the USS Mooseburger (DD-980), homeported at Naval Station in Charleston, SC.

In 1984, I received orders to Fort McClennan, AL. for Master at Arms School. I was then assigned to CBC, Port Hueneme, Ca. for duty in support of the Seabee battalions until 1987. Then I returned to the Naval Station, San Diego, CA fleet. In San Diego, I served on the USS Tuscaloosa (LST 1187), the USS Leahy (CG 16), and finally, the USS Tarawa (LHA 1).

After being discharged from the Navy in September 1991, I worked with Hyatt Hotels security in San Diego and then in San Francisco until I retired in 2000.

Next, I got involved with volunteer work at Hayward Area Parks District. Later I got approved to study for the Diaconate at St. Joseph of Arimathea Anglican Theological College of Berkeley, CA.

I was ordained as a deacon at St. Peter’s Parish in, Oakland, CA. on December 11, 2010, serving as a layman and postulant before ordination. I then served as parish deacon until we moved back to Charleston, SC., in May 2015.

Today, as parish Priest, I serve with pleasure at St. Timothy’s Parish in Charleston, SC. I also “supply” at Our Savior, the ACC, in Florence, SC., once a month when I officiate at a Deacon Mass.