Peter V. Emanuel

Peter V. Emanuel, 93, of Lafayette, La., passed away peacefully Oct. 20. He was pre-deceased by his son, Paul M. Emanuel and his brother, Dr. Michael A. Emanuel. He is survived by two sons, Christopher J. Emanuel and Philip V. Emanuel, two granddaughters, Eden Moon Emanuel and Megan Caroline Emanuel, his sister, Jane Lenihan, of Westerly, his nephew, Ralph Lenihan and children Chad, Christine and Annette, of Westerly and his devoted friend and companion, Joyce G. Perkins, of Opelousas, La..
Mr. Emanuel was born in Pawcatuck Sept. 24, 1919, the son of the late Natale C. and Rosa (Muni) Emanuel. He was raised in Westerly, attended the University of Rhode Island and graduated with a degree in biology in 1942. While in college, he participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program where he earned his pilot's license.
Upon graduation, he joined the Army Air Corp Cadet program, trained as a Celestial Navigator, was commissioned an officer and graduated with a rating of Precision Bombardier. He joined the 41st medium bomber group (B-25) Mitchell bomber crew as navigator-bombardier and served in the South Pacific and Southern Japan during World War II.
After the war, he joined Servel Corporation as an engineer trainee.
In 1963, he co-founded and later became owner of TriChem Industries, Inc. in Bossier City, La. After 25 years, he retired from United Gas Corporation of Shreveport, La., in 1975. He was a licensed broker and had his own real estate firm. He held memberships in the Shreveport-Bossier Board of Realtors and the Lafayette Board of Realtors. He also held various assignments with the 917th Fighter Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in the Ready Reserves and retired as a Lt. Colonel USAF in 1979.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge #1048, Opelousas, La., the Knights of Columbus #3407, Shreveport, La., a member of MOAA - the Military Officers Association of America and a life member of the LesViex Chene Golf Course. His love of playing golf with friends continued until he was 90.
A graveside service will be held Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly. Funeral services are under the direction of Rushlow-Iacoi Funeral Home & Crematory, 64 Friendship St., Westerly. For online condolences, please go to www.rushlowiacoifuneralhome.com
A celebration of Peter's life will also take place at a later date in Lafayette, La.