Peter E. Naktenis

NAKTENIS, Peter E. Peter E. Naktenis, 93, of Singer Island, FL passed away Wednesday, (August 1, 2007) at his residence. Born in Aberdeen, WA, he had been a resident of Singer Island for 20 years, coming from Manchester. He was a graduate of Hartford High School and inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame. He won a baseball scholarship to Duke University and graduated with a Degree in Physics. After graduating from Duke, he was a pitcher in the major and minor leagues being known as "Lefty Pete Naktenis". During the war he worked for Colts Manufacturing and pitched in the Hartford Twilight League. Later he was a founding partner of Wilco and President of Dean Machine Products in Manchester. In later years he considered his most important job that of caring for his wife Kathleen, an alzheimer's patient for over 15 years. He was preceded in death by his wife in 2005 and his brother George Naktenis, a casualty of World War II. Survivors include his son, Peter A. Naktenis of Bolton; three daughters, Diane Case of Surrey, British Columbia, Kathleen Fagan of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Patricia E. Naktenis of Avon; long-time caregiver and friend, Eugenia DeFonce of Singer Island, FL; five grandchildren, Steven, Brian, Laura and Sandra Case and Christopher Naktenis; great grandchildren, Sean, Alek, Julien, Nathan and Amanda Case, all of whom are committed to the qualities and memories that he has bequeathed to us. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 4, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, North Palm Beach, FL with Fr. Art Venezia, Celebrant. The family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater Palm Beach Area, 1325 S. Congress Ave., Ste. 203, Boynton Beach, FL 33426 or Hospice of Palm Beach County, Inc. 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407 in his name.