Peter Jay Sweitzer

Peter Jay Sweitzer, 58, of Denver, passed away Friday, August 15, 2025. Born on August 28, 1968, in Reading, PA, he was the fifth son of Paul Sweitzer and Jean Newman Hopper.

A daredevil as a boy, he would practice handstands on his skateboard while rolling down various city streets in Northwest Reading, graduating to attempting—and succeeding at—“Cry Baby Hill,” traveling from West Spring Street to River Road by board and bike. Even when a kind Reading Police Department officer picked him up and brought him home after his last win, he never cried.

He later moved to Charlotte, NC, with his mother, where he started his own business as “The Gutter Guy.” He eventually became a long-haul trucker, traveling extensively in the West, the Rockies, the Dakotas, and California, where he used his trailer as a free billboard for Native American causes, protesting the oil damage caused by the Dakota Access Pipeline running across their waterways. Scrawled across his dirty trailer were “NO DAPL” as well as “Elect Bernie Sanders for President.”

His gentle, caring nature was something he practiced without hesitation, always helping and giving to others. He could be seen moving his big rig to the side of the road to rescue a large wayward turtle, placing it safely on the far side. He loved being a firefighter in his younger days. His commitment to helping others never left him, as he continued donating to causes and remained a proud Democrat, giving to ActBlue.

He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Gerald, Mark, and Paul Sweitzer, and his stepfather, Gary Hopper, Sr.

He is survived by his parents, Paul Sweitzer of Womelsdorf, PA, and Jean Newman Hopper of Denver, NC; his siblings, Kathy Sweitzer of PA, and Jonathan, Jamie, and Jennifer Sweitzer of NC; his step-siblings, Calvin Hopper, Gary Hopper, Jr., and Tammy Hopper Roach, all of NC; many cousins; and three nieces.

A private memorial will be held later next year. Friends may make memorial contributions to their local fire department, an animal organization, or to ActBlue.

Pete always said, “Friends don’t let friends vote Republican!”

Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Sweitzer family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.