Peter Sargent considered himself lucky.

He had his dream job as owner of the Cape-Able Bike Shop in Kennebunkport, which he operated for nearly 30 years. His passion for bikes led him to travel extensively, touring numerous countries on his bicycle. He was also active in the community, where he served on the town’s planning board and volunteered for many organizations. including the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.

Mr. Sargent, who embraced his passions for bikes, community and family, died Sunday after a fight with “younger-onset” Alzheimer’s disease. He was 64.

Mr. Sargent opened the bike shop around 1972 in Cape Porpoise. He later relocated the business to Town House Corners in Kennebunkport. He sold bikes and accessories, and serviced bikes for customers throughout southern Maine. For the years he ran the bike shop, it was the only place to buy a bike in town. It was also a popular hangout for many youths.

Mr. Sargent lived his work. For many years, he used his bike as his mode of transportation. He didn’t have a car.

“Biking was never exercise for our family,” said his wife, Karen MacGregor, of Kennebunkport. “It was how we did our errands and got to places. He introduced that to so many people.”

Mr. Sargent’s obituary, which was published in Wednesday’s newspaper, notes his love of life and spirit for adventure. He traveled extensively with his family and biked in many countries. They biked through New Zealand twice, France, England and Portugal. One year, the Sargents did a five-month bike trip covering 4,000 miles through England, France, New Zealand. They biked through Canada, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

“When our son was in second grade, we took him out of school and took him to New Zealand to bike,” his wife said. “Almost every trip we took, he had a bike with him. He always had to have a bike with him.”

Sargent and his wife were married for 29 years. They raised a son, Mac Sargent, of South Portland. She talked about their 25 years ‘living off the grid” in Kennebunkport and how their lifestyle enabled them to travel and have new experiences. She said one of her husband’s proudest achievements was his son.

“He was an amazing father,” his wife said. “He was a wonderful father. It was probably his most loved role.”

Mr. Sargent cared deeply about the community. He was a founding member of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. He also served on the town’s planning board, and volunteered for the Youth Services Commission and Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services for 20 years.

“He was a worker in all things he was involved with,” his wife said. “He was colorful, creative and liked to think outside the box.”

Mr. Sargent also was passionate about music. He had thousands of CDs and albums and sang in two bands, 9th Avenue Subway and Tidal Wave.

Mr. Sargent was 56 years-old when he began experiencing signs of “younger-onset” Alzheimer’s disease. His wife said he never stopped living his life fully.

Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.com

Twitter: MelanieCreamer

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