Family Man
Fifth-generation Greenwich guy, First Selectman Peter Tesei talks to Nicole Gull about his TOWN AND FAMILY.
Nicole Gull: How do you start each day?
Peter Tesei: I spend all of my free time with my children and my wife. Our daughter Caroline will be three in April. Our son James turned one in February. We have a pretty set routine in the mornings. We play and have breakfast. I help my wife with breakfast. Having a schedule when often times I’m not home before they go to bed, I try to focus on the mornings to have time to play with them.
NG: What are your kids into?
PT: We went through the whole period of Noggin. And now it’s called Nick Jr. I know all of the shows. We went through the Dora and Diego phase with Caroline. Now it’s the Wonder Pets — it’s a little cartoon. I want to say she’s also into Pinky Dinky Doo. We also read a lot to her. Every night is a traditional settle down: Let’s go get a book. My wife has been very dedicated to establishing the routine in the house. I think it’s a tremendous benefit to them. I have to give her all of the credit. I could easily be persuaded to do just about anything for my daughter — so I’m not that good at sticking to the routine.
NG: Obviously people know you as a public figure, but how do you like to spend your own time?
PT: I’ve been trying to spend more time outdoors. Greenwich Point to me is sort of an oasis away from the hustle and bustle, just to get out there and take a walk around. I still do that now with my family. Whenever we can, mostly on Sundays. We live on River Road in Cos Cob. We walk along the boardwalk there at Beacon Point and we spend a lot of time at the Bruce Park boundless playground.
NG: Where do you go when you’re itching to get away and skip town?
PT: We spend time in Massachusetts two or three times a year. We tend to go in August. We like to go up to Stow on Lake Boon. Jill’s family has a cottage up there. It’s been in the family for generations. It’s good for the kids because there are no major waves. It also gives Jill, my wife, the chance to get together with her childhood friends. We try to go for the Fourth of July. They have a parade of boats on the lake. People decorate their boats and go around to different parts of the lake. There are always people out canoeing and kayaking.
NG: What if you could test out life somewhere else? Where would you live?
PT: California. The climate is appealing and everyone I’ve ever met or worked with from there has been friendly and outgoing.
NG: You’re a fifth-generation resident here, but have you found that being a dad has introduced you to a new side of Greenwich?
PT: Caroline and I did the Music Together program with Christine Burlingame on Saturdays. She’s a tremendous instructor and it’s a lot of fun. I met some people there, and I see them professionally too. It gives you a total sense of relief because you can sit there and tune out the other things in your mind from real life.
NG: Some dads stress about having little girls. It’s sort of a cliché but one that rings true for a lot of men with first children that are girls. What about you?
PT: I could see it’s going to be challenging — based upon the world we’re living in today. One of the things I keep thinking internally: I’m going to continue with my wife to make sure my daughter is independent in her abilities whenever possible. I want to make sure she has self-confidence and gets a tremendous amount of love so she can deal with whatever adversity I’m sure she’ll experience. I’m a big believer in independence.
NG: Are you nervous about the day your daughter starts dating?
PT: Undoubtedly, the whole concept of dating — it’s hard to put in perspective at this point. I can only imagine!
NG: How has the transition been from having one child to two?
PT: It’s a balance. All of the attention was given to one. Now, to balance it is an effort, or I feel it is. My daughter and I have had a longer relationship, and she talks. But now that James is walking all over the house, I try to get them to play together. I keep telling Caroline that right now she is her brother’s best friend. She has other friends, but isn’t it nice that she can spend time with him and be his friend too? She gets it, but there are still times she wants to play by herself.
NG: What do you look most forward to as your children get older?
PT: Teaching them how to drive. My dad would let us drive down the driveway and it was always a big thrill. My dad was very into the automobile. His dad let him drive at 12 years old, a truck on Hamilton Avenue. I think my grandfather even got a summons for it. It had to be the late 1940s. I’m looking forward that.
NG: You like cars. What’s your dream car?
PT: I just like automobiles. I can’t say I’m a car aficionado. I’m very happy driving my Ford. I’m sort of a loyal Ford owner. I’ve now had a couple and I take pride in the fact that it’s American. My whole perspective is changing. I’m about functionality and safety now.
NG: If you hadn’t chosen this career path, what might also be a good fit?
PT: Last Friday I had an opportunity to read a book to third graders at the Westchester Fairfield Hebrew Academy. I don’t know if they were just trying to boost my ego but they all wanted me to sign their pieces of paper. I could envision myself teaching. The other would be working with older adults. Even today people say, “You’re so patient.” I think that’s just my makeup having been in the service industry...you need to learn how to listen. Working with older people would provide an opportunity for me to learn because they have the experience of living longer. I also enjoy interacting with the media — papers and radio — so maybe a reporter or commentator. *