Peter A. Benigno, Jr.

Peter Anthony Benigno, Jr., age 72, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Friday, November 5, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with cancer, and while receiving the loving care of his family.

Peter was born in Newton, NJ and was raised in Nutley.  He was one of two children to Peter and Patricia Benigno.  Growing up, Peter was an avid sports fan, particularly of baseball.  He was a devoted New York Yankees fan, Mickey Mantle being one of his favorite players.  Peter attended Nutley High School where he earned a spot on the high school varsity wrestling team.  In his senior year in 1968, Peter led the school to the State Championships.

Following his graduation from Nutley High School in 1968, Peter attended Jersey City State College where he earned his Associates Degree.  Pete found work quickly at a company in Clifton called Woodward-Moorhouse where he accepted a position as a Draftsman.  Pete was employed at Woodward-Moorhouse for about five years when his Uncle Charlie approached him about needing help at his family business in Garfield called Benigno Tire Exchange.  Peter worked part time at the company on Saturdays for a while.  After a few years, his uncle gave Peter the opportunity to join him full time. Peter took a leave of absence from Woodward to explore the chance his uncle had given him.  Peter never looked back, he remained at Benigno Tire Exchange eventually becoming part owner with his cousins about ten years later in the mid 1980’s.  Peter’s outstanding work ethic was an important and critical part of the business’ success over the years.  His hardworking attitude was the reason that Peter could never retire.    

While working as a Draftsman with the Woodward-Moorhouse Company in Clifton, Peter worked alongside a young and attractive Administrative Assistant named Susan Hammell.  Susan and Peter hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on September 11, 1976 Peter and Susan became husband and wife.  The newlyweds settled in Clifton where they remained for seventeen years.  During their time in Clifton, they welcomed the birth of their only child, Peter.  In 1993, Peter and his family moved to Wayne where they have been ever since.  Being a sports fan, it was no surprise that Peter treasured coaching T-Ball and sponsoring local little league teams with the Benigno Tire business name. He and his family were parishioners of Our Lady of Consolation RC Church in Wayne for many years.

As a young man, Peter had a great love and appreciation for the classic cars.  He owned several classic muscle cars including a 65 Pontiac GTO, a 69 Camaro Z28, a 1965 Chevy Chevelle SS, a Chevy Corvette and a number of different Chevy Impala classic cars.  Peter cherished entering his cars in local car shows and competing with other owners.  Because of his outstanding character, in the mid 1990’s Peter was deemed a Silver Card holder.  This was a very prestigious award and honor that was bestowed upon him by the Garfield Police Department in recognition of his ongoing and unwavering support of local law enforcement. Peter also donated regularly to St Jude Children’s Hospital throughout his life.  

Peter and his family enjoyed traveling throughout the years to various destinations such as Argentina. Nice, and their favorite destination, Aruba, where the family owned a timeshare.  But aside from all of Peter’s hobbies, talents and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Peter than providing for and spending time with his family.  He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  While his son Peter was growing up, he never missed one of his baseball games or school events.  He and his wife Susan cherished forty five years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Peter was a generous man who would stop whatever he was doing at the time to help someone.  He always made it a point to try and give others opportunities just as he had been given. He was straightforward with people and candid.  He always made it a point to tell someone the truth and was an honest businessman.  He would often turn people away when he knew in his heart that they didn’t need his services.  This was something that people would appreciate and talk about over the years.  Peter was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone around him.  He will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Peter is survived by his wife Susan (nee Hammell) of Wayne, one son Peter A. Benigno, III and his wife Lisa of Ridgewood, NJ, one brother Nicholas Benigno of Clifton, two grandchildren; Olivia Benigno and Michael Benigno both of Ridgewood, and many extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, www.stjude.org