Obituary of Peter A. Montemurro

Peter A. Montemurro, age 85, passed peacefully in his home, as was his wish, at 9:14 A.M. on Saturday, August 29, 2015. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by family including his loving wife and his children as well as their spouses. Born on December 2, 1929 of Italian immigrant parents, Peter and his sisters, Anna and Mitzi, were raised in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY. He married Margery Bedford of Quebec, Canada, in 1952. Together, they raised four children and experienced the joy of eight grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. Peter attended Stuyvesant High School and later attended Hofstra University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics while working at Brookhaven National Laboratory. His career at the Lab spanned nearly 38 years, managing particle acceleration and solar energy research. After moving to Medford, NY in 1961, Peter was involved with many church and community projects including Boy Scouts of America, Lion’s Club, and also was one of the founders of Little People’s Day Care Center at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Medford, NY. He was a longstanding member of St. Sylvester’s Roman Catholic Church in Medford, NY, serving on the Parish Council and helping to establish the Patricia Desmond Parish Hall. He was also a member of St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Lazarus Ministry, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. In retirement, Peter volunteered at Hope House in Port Jefferson, NY and Parish Outreach for St. Slyvester’s. If someone needed help, Peter was among the first to offer it. Peter is survived by his wife of 63 years, Margery, of Medford, NY, and his four children: Victor and his spouse, Debbie of Ridge, NY; George and his spouse Patti of Patchogue, NY; Peter and his spouse Regina of Melville, NY; and Maria and her spouse Kevin, of East Hampton, NY. He is also survived by grandchildren Maya, Rachel, Miles, Emily, Katelyn, Kyle and Megan, and great-granddaughters Olivia, Samantha, and Cate. He is predeceased by his granddaughter, Cassie. Peter is also survived by his two younger sisters, Anna and Mitzi A memorial visitation between 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. will take place on Friday, September 4, 2015 at McManus-Lorey Funeral Home, 2084 Horse Block Road, Medford, NY. A memorial mass will take place at St. Sylvester’s R.C. Church on Saturday morning, September 5, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. In Lieu of Flowers, Peter's family request donations in his memory to St. Sylvester's Parish Outreach, 68 Ohio Avenue, Medford, NY 11763 or Hope House Ministries, 23 N Country Rd, Port Jefferson, NY 11777