Peter S. Labyak

Peter S. Labyak VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired Navy Captain Peter Labyak, 69, lost his battle with melanoma at his home Feb. 27, 2009. A 1962 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he enjoyed a distinguished 30 -year naval career, in which nearly half was spent on sea duty aboard seven ships and included 10 major deployments in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. He commanded the afloat Oceanographic Unit TWO, USS Mullinnix (DD 944), USS Samuel Gompers (AD 37) and the Atlantic Fleets ASW Training Center. Major shore assignments included Navy Recruiting District New York, Executive Office of the President and Chief of Staff for Training and Tactics for Commander-in-Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Among his awards were the Legion of Merit (3), Meritorious Service (2) and various Vietnam campaign decorations. He was considered a sub-specialist in anti-submarine warfare, oceanography and marine engineering. He held an M.S. in Physical Oceanography and was certified to teach science at the secondary school level. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1992, he taught at Great Bridge Middle School North for five years. He then began a third career and became an exhibiting professional artist. By 2008 he had achieved a reputation as an accomplished miniature oil painter at both local and national level, competing successfully in numerous international competitions. While doing outdoor shows locally and in the Outer Banks, he became a featured artist at galleries in Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Nags Head and Manteo. He was a member of the Association of Miniature Artists, Miniature Art Society of Florida, the Miniature Painters, Sculptors, and Gravers Society of Washington, D.C., and the Chesapeake Bay Art Association. Until his illness in late 2007, he was an avid golfer and member of Cypress Point Country Club, and also enjoyed gardening and cooking. Pete was a member of the Church of the Ascension Catholic Church and served as an Eucharistic Minister. Captain Labyak is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Gail Caroline; three children, Theresa Geisler and husband U.S. Navy Capt. David A. Geisler of Virginia Beach, Laura Labyak of Virginia Beach, Daniel Labyak and wife Corrie Labyak of Jacksonville, Fla.; five grandchildren, Katherine Geisler, Kristina Geisler, Nicholas Labyak, Camdyn Labyak and Hogan Peter Labyak; his father, retired Navy Capt. Robert W. Labyak and wife Lou; and a sister, Roberta Moody-Wright and husband Paul Wright, all of Fort Worth, Texas. He was predeceased by his son, Timothy Jon Labyak; his mother, Dorothy Labyak; and two brothers, Jon and Fred Labyak. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at the Church of the Ascension Catholic Church, 4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach Monday at 11 a.m. with Father James E. Parke officiating. His ashes will be placed in the Columbarium at the church immediately following the Mass with full military honors being accorded. A reception at the church will follow. Altmeyer Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, is handling the arrangements. The family requests that donations be made at www.firstgiving.com/peterlabyak to directly benefit The Melanoma Research Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyer.com.