Peter Kustra

Peter Kustra, 89, recently of Cape May, N.J., and formerly of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully April 21.

Born in Mahanoy City, he was a longtime resident of the Philadelphia area before moving to Cape May four years ago to be closer to his daughter. Peter graduated from Mahanoy City High School in 1944. After high school, Peter, a true man of honor, served in the Army Air Corps in the Philippines during World War II as an air operations specialist. It should be remembered that Peter had tried to enlist twice for the war but was turned down due to blind vision in his left eye. However, he persevered, wore the recruitment specialist down, and the third time was the charm. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal upon his discharge in 1947.

After returning home from the war, Peter began a 30-plus year career as a lathe operator for the FMC Corp., formerly the Link Belt Corp., Philadelphia. Though a machinist by trade, he possessed a hidden artistic flair and was very proud of having produced steel dumbbell weight sets and two male steel signet rings with his massive lathe.

Peter was a man of strong character with a wily sense of humor. He often told the story that he had been the only male in his typing/steno class in his senior year in high school and this had merited him the honor of being the chief typist on base while in the Philippines during the war.

As a father, he was always unfailingly present for his two children when they needed him most. He personified hard-working values as the norm and always urged persons to never be afraid to say the truth - as long as it was the truth.

Peter was generous to his co-workers, always lending money to those who truly needed it to survive. As to his axioms for a healthy life, he always said "think positive," "relax and take it easy," and to "have a good day but not just one, but many good days."

He was preceded in death by his wife, Genevieve Witanek; brothers, John and Michael; sisters, Anna, Mary, Eva and Julia.

Peter will be dearly missed by his family which includes his daughter, Sharon Lee Kustra and her husband, Mark LeMunyon; son, Michael Kustra and his wife, Rani; grandson, Mark Robert LeMunyon; and siblings, Joseph, Helen, Mildred and Nancy.

A graveside memorial ceremony will take place privately for family and friends. Arrangements by Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May, N.J. www.spilkerfuneralhome.com.

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