Peter J. D'Amico

1926 - 2020

GENEVA - Peter 'Pete' D'Amico went to The Lord on Thursday (December 17, 2020).

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday (December 21) at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church. There will be no calling hours.

A celebration of Pete's life will be held 'sometime' in the summer of 2021.

Contributions may be made in Pete's memory to The Geneva Salvation Army at 41 North St in Geneva or The Alzheimer's Association at 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620.

Born in Geneva on November 14, 1926, Pete was the second son of the late Joseph and Everina D'Amico. He attended Geneva schools and served in the U. S. Navy during WWII on the USS Roosevelt.

Pete started his career in the hospitality business in downtown Geneva and at Belhurst Castle. He began his automotive career in the early 50's at Davids-Phillips Oldsmobile-Cadillac on Genesee Street when all the new car dealers were located downtown.

In the mid-50's, Pete sold used cars for Walt Davids at his lot on the Waterloo Road across from the Drive-In Theater. When Walt closed that car lot, Pete sold pots, pans and silverware out of the trunk of his car while looking for a new job. Mac Merrit hired him in 1960 to sell vehicles at his Chevy-Buick store on Bean's Hill and cemented his Auto Career.

Pete excelled working for Mac but he dreamed of being a new car dealer and having his own store. That dream became a reality when, along with his brother John, he founded D'Amico Chrysler-Plymouth in 1963. They started the business in an old Sinclair gas station on Hamilton Street next to Mario's Restaurant while their new building was being constructed, where the current dealership resides. Pete and John moved into the brand new facility in July of 1964 and added onto the building 2 years later. John retired from the dealership in 1979 and Pete added the Dodge franchise in 1981. Pete sold the business to his sons in 1991 and and they continue to proudly operate it 57 years later not losing sight on what their father envisioned his dream to be from day one.

Also in 1963, Pete joined Geneva Country Club even though he had never swung a golf club in his life. Pete was a 36 handicap his entire golf career but he loved the game. Pete's favorite hole was number three at GCC - 138 yard par 3. Pete would use his driver off the tee and try to run the ball between the two sand traps that guard the green and make it onto the putting surface. Every once in awhile it worked and he would make a par and smile the rest of the round and all night.

Throughout his life, Pete had a fond love of the game of poker. Wednesday night games at The Rod and Gun Club and Thursday night games at GCC and even an occasional poker get together in the basement of his house, Pete loved a friendly poker game!

In the 80's, Pete and his wife, Mary started spending a little time in Fla. in the winter season. In 1991, they bought a condo in Boca Raton and started spending a little more time down South and they really enjoyed their winters in Fla.

Pete and Mary were married for 55 years and enjoyed winters in Fla., the occasional trip to Atlantic City and hosting Christmas Eve with their family, their favorite holiday. Their zest for life was contagious and their never-ending stories about their adventures always brought a smile to your face.

Pete belonged to numerous organizations including The Rotary Club, Geneva VFW, Geneva American Legion, Geneva Country Club, Geneva Rod and Gun Club and The Sons of Italy.

The last years of his life, Pete lived at Huntington Living Center in Waterloo. The D'Amico Family is indebted to the caring staff at Huntington who took Pete in and embraced him and treated him with the highest level of care imaginable throughout his stay.

Pete is survived by his five sons Peter (Carolyn) D'Amico Jr., Paul D'Amico, Robert (Patricia) D'Amico, Patrick D'Amico and Michael (Alison Newman) D'Amico; his brother, Charles D'Amico; sister-in-law, Mary D'Amico; brother-in-law, Robert Howard; his grandchildren Carrie Ann (Tim) Cloud, Shelby D'Amico, Shannon D'Amico, Sarah (Jack Montesanto) D'Amico, Jeffrey (Brooke) D'Amico, Christopher (Chrissy) D'Amico, Jillian (Justin) Demuth, Rosemary (David) Hall, Joseph (Taylor Excell) D'Amico, Hannah D'Amico and Maddie D'Amico; as well as his great-grandchildren Jack Cloud, Carter Cloud, Hayes Cloud, Jaclyn Constable, Jordyn Montesanto, Liliana D'Amico, Sophia D'Amico, Jacob D'Amico, Cameron D'Amico, Jaxon Demuth and Everleigh D'Amico

Pete was predeceased by his loving wife, Mary; his siblings Francis, John and Joseph D'Amico and Mary Sroka; sisters-in-law Joan, Madeline and Patricia D'Amico, Isabelle Sullivan and Nan Howard; and his brothers-in-law Paul Sullivan and Al Sroka.

For those wishing to write a note of condolence, please visit www.devaneybennettfh.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to The Devaney-Bennet Funeral Home.