Peter P. De Petris

With heartfelt sadness we share the passing of Peter DePetris, 85 years old on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Peter was born January 12.1939 in Cugnoli, Abruzzo Region Italy. He came to America in 1954 residing in Elizabeth, later moving to Lakewood. Peter served honorably in the US Army stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky from 1962 to 1964 as part of 511th Engineering Company. Upon his discharge and return to New Jersey he was employed at Bristol Meyers Squibb, Hillside until his retirement in 1995. Pete loved gardening and spent many hours taking care of his plants at the “farm” in the area he maintained at Leisure Village where he lived in Lakewood. He grew the best tomatoes and other vegetables in his garden which he shared with family, friends and neighbors. Peter was a lifelong NY Yankees fan; he also enjoyed watching Jets football and soccer. His favorite was cheering on Italy during the World Cup games. His love of soccer included playing on club teams for several years. He also enjoyed playing golf, bowling and playing boccie ball. As a young man Pete enjoyed working on cars at Pop Signore’s garage and drove the #24 stock car for them at local NJ speedways. He was a past member of the Woodbridge Corvette Club. His biggest pleasure was spending time with his family and loved getting together with all his relatives. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Anselmo and Dominica (DiDominicis), his sisters Ada, Mafalda, brothers Victor and Sestino, and brother-in-law John Policastro. He is survived by his son Peter of Clark, daughter Janine of Barnegat, his companion of many years Cathy Nassr of Brooklyn, his brother Dante of Edison, sister Mary Policastro of Edison and sister-in-law Josephine DePetris of Clark, beloved Uncle to several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Debbie and Jen who took such good care of him in his time of need. He will be deeply missed by all, as was often said, “he was one of the good ones”. Relatives and friends will be received on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 11 a.m to 12 p.m. at the D'Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701. His memorial service will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Pete will be laid to rest in the BG William C. Doyle New Jersey Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or to the Wounded Warrior Project. (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)