Peter Andrew Scontras

KITTERY, Maine - Peter Andrew Scontras, of Kittery, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at home surrounded by his loving family. Peter was born August 13, 1928 in Buffalo, New York to Andrew and Koula (Diakakis) Scontras.

He grew up in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, graduating from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1947 and continued his education at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, where he excelled in sports and graduated in the class of 1950 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Peter was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy Reserve as an engineering duty officer. A Korean War veteran, he served on active duty aboard the USS Gainard (DD-706) homeported in Newport, Rhode Island, where he met Sophia Brelis, of Newport. Sofie and Peter wed in Newport on December 30, 1951, recently celebrating sixty-five years together. They were blessed with seven children.

Following a short engineering tenure in the commercial sector, Peter was hired by the Navy Department, Bureau of Ships in Washington D.C. as a design engineer until transferring to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1961. At Portsmouth, he worked as a nuclear engineer, ultimately retiring in 1990 as the shipyard's chief industrial engineer.

Throughout his retirement, Peter continued his pursuit of athletic excellence. He was as an avid runner and competed in countless road races, breaking records and collecting dozens of medals. In his words, Peter was a running "fanatic." He was selected by the New England Runner's World magazine and ranked #5 among New England runners over 65.

In 2016, Peter was honored to be inducted into the Maine Maritime Academy Athletics Hall of Fame for football.

A devout Catholic and active member of the Corpus Christi Parish in Portsmouth, N.H., Peter brought many to Catholicism through his unfailing faith, irresistible exuberance and his never-ending supply of unforgettable lessons.

Among his most treasured and cherished memories were the countless summers he spent at York Harbor Beach with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Loving husband, devoted father, teacher, philosopher, theologian, and exemplary life coach; Peter's proudest moments centered on family, always. We will miss him dearly.

Peter is survived by his wife, Sofie Scontras of Kittery, and his children; Andrew and Lisa Scontras of Honolulu, Hawaii; Christopher and Ellen Scontras, of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; Stephen and Lisa Scontras, of Alexandria, Virginia; Maria and Jamie Gilman, of Kittery, Maine; Lisa and Tim Noonis, of Hampton, New Hampshire; Tom and Stacey Scontras, of York, Maine; and Dean and Dawn Scontras, of Ashburn, Virginia. Peter has eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Becky Scouras of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Charles Scontras of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. He is predeceased by a sister, Theresa Sudol, of South Portland, Maine.

The family thanks the following care providers: Amedisys, Beacon Hospice and Atlantic Homelife.

SERVICES: A funeral Mass is scheduled for Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m., at The Immaculate Conception Church, 98 Summer St., Portsmouth, N.H. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Peter's life.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Corpus Christi Parish, 845 Woodbury Ave., Portsmouth, N.H., 03801.