Pietro Joseph Buongiorno, age 88 of Wayne and formerly Toms River, died on Monday, November 3, 2014.

Born and raised in Clifton, Pete took a break from Clifton High School in 1943 so that he could join the United States Armed Forces. He would one-day finish his high school education but not before proudly serving his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, Third Division. Stationed in Germany during World War II, the injuries he sustained led to him being a recipient of the Purple Heart for his valor in the face of great danger.

Following the conclusion of the war, Pete returned home in 1946 where he began a career that would span forty years as an electrician and foreman with Hoffmann-La Roche in Nutley.

Pete met his beautiful wife Marie in 1950. A Clifton girl herself, their first blind date ultimately led to marriage at St. Paul’s R.C. Church in Clifton on September 3, 1951. The newlyweds settled into the second floor apartment in Pete’s parent’s house on 112 Sheridan Avenue in Clifton. In 1955 they welcomed their son John and in 1961 the family grew a little more as Pete and Marie welcomed another child – this time a baby girl which they named Patricia. In 1965 Pete, Marie and the kids moved to a new house in Wayne. They joined Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne and were faithful parishioners for the next thirty-one years until Pete and Marie’s son John got married in 1996. After that, the empty-nest couple moved to Toms River where they could enjoy the Jersey shore and warm sunny days. Pete quickly joined a bowling league, and many evenings were spent working on his game or dining out with Marie and the friends they made.

Pete and Marie also began that traveling phase of life. They enjoyed trips to Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany. While in Germany, Pete drove his car on the Autobahn. He was doing 90 MPH but because everyone else was driving even faster, it was like he was standing still. He also went back to the place in Germany where he was injured during the war. A company had been built on the sight but the owner of the company was very hospitable, allowing him to stand in the building in the very spot where he was injured. One year, Pete and Marie jumped into their Mazda pickup truck and travelled across the U.S., enjoying all that this great land has to offer. In his younger years, Pete enjoyed his gardens – both vegetable and flower gardens that he had in Wayne. He played shortstop in the Hoffmann La-Roche softball league and you could always find him in front of his television on Sundays during football season watching his beloved Giants.

Pete was very close to all four of his grandchildren. Eddie was his first grandson so those two had a special relationship. He loved to take Chris and Kelly on vacation with him, and Marie, and Daniel, as well as the others, will always have fond memories of visiting and staying with Grandpa and Grandma down at their home near the Jersey shore. Pete had one dog. She was a toy poodle named Mitsy and after her, no other dog would have been a suitable replacement.

Pete will always live on in the hearts of all who had the pleasure of enjoying his gentle spirit and great sense of humor. His family will especially miss Pete’s loving presence in their lives.

Peitro is survived by his beloved wife Marie; his dear son John and wife Debra Buongiorno of Clifton; his dear daughter Patricia Balvin of Wayne; and his four cherished grandchildren: Edward Daniel Balvin, Christopher Gerard Balvin, Kelly Marie Balvin, and Daniel Vincent Buongiorno. He was predeceased by his dear son-in-law Edward Balvin in 2009.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Pietro’s name are asked to consider the American Cancer Society, NJ Chapter, 20 Mercer Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601.