June 21, 1931 - May 20, 2020
Pedro Guillermo Schira was born in New York City on June 21, 1931. He was raised in Puerto Rico, Miami and New York where he remained and raised a family with his wife of 68 years. He passed away peacefully at his home there on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
He is survived by his wife and love of 74 years, Mary, daughter Lila, and sons Roger and Peter Elias, as well as five grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew, Gabriella, Ryan and Devan, and two great grandchildren, Avery and Austin.
Originally set on pursuing an engineering degree, Peter received a Bachelor of Arts from Pratt Institute and earned a Master Degree in Fine Arts from Brooklyn College. He began teaching Art at The City College of New York and spent over 25 years teaching at Bronx Community College where he became Chair of the Music and Art Department and helped start the school’s Graphic Arts curriculum.
As an accomplished painter his career spanned more than fifty years. His work was shown regularly at numerous New York City galleries as well as abroad, and can be found, prominently displayed, in the homes of his family and friends.
Honest, romantic, creative, pragmatic, quietly curious, and a pioneer, Peter was loved and respected greatly by his family, friends, and artistic colleagues.
“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle and the life of the flame will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” -Buddha
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