PETER NAPOLITANO

1935 - 2017

Peter J. Napolitano
1935 - 2017
A native Staten Islander, Peter was born and raised on the North Shore.
He resided on Ward Hill for the past 58 years in the home which he and his wife, Ann, purchased as newlyweds.
Peter's education began at Our Lady of Good Counsel School, and went on to the Augustinian Academy, Grymes Hill.
He made an early-in-life decision to study law and pursued that dream at Fordham University. He received his J.D. from Fordham University Law School. While attending law school he returned to his alma mater, Augustinian Academy, to teach history. This love of history was a constant throughout his life.
Upon graduation, he joined the St. George law firm of Costantino and Levine. A persuasive advocate and eloquent speaker, he was at home in the courtroom.
Always active in the Island's legal community, he served as president of the Richmond County Bar Association and chaired most of its committees, in particular the judiciary committee. He was a founding member of the Staten Island Trial Lawyers Association. He was a mentor to attorneys, respected by the judiciary, and known as a "lawyer's lawyer."
Peter's accomplished mind never rested. He filled his leisure time with travel, particularly in Europe, trips to the theater and the opera, but foremost, with reading.
Peter's long and distinguished career stretched almost five decades. He retired from Napolitano and Magnotti, his firm, in 2005.
In retirement, he and two close friends launched a tradition of Thursday afternoon (later Friday) luncheon meetings, where his love of history frequently found an outlet in lengthy discussions about World War II.
Peter found his greatest enjoyment in life for many years when spending time with family and friends at his lakeside home in Fawn Lake Forest in the Pocono Mountains. Even while at his country retreat, his energetic nature propelled him into community activities. He was the founding member of the Fawn Lake Forest Association and served as its president for a number of terms.
Peter died unexpectedly on April 4, 2017. He is survived by his wife, Ann (nee Burns); his children, Peter, Marissa, and Maria Elena (Cee Cee) Kearns; a grandson, Dylan Peter Kearns, and a sister, Phyllis O'Sullivan.
A Mass in his memory will be offered at 3 p.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 10 Austin Place, Staten Island. There are no calling hours. Arrangements are being handled by Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home.
Our lives will be diminished by his absence.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the New York Public Library at nypl.org/give or send your donation though the mail to: The New York Public Library, 445 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016.