Peter Anthony Colonna

Born to loving parents Nicola and Albina Colonna on July 30th, 1935 in Bronx, New York; died on June 17th 2025 in Boynton Beach, Florida.
Peter was a young boy growing up in Pelham Bay in "The Bronx", NY, where he was baptised in a Roman Catholic church at Saint Theresesa, and served as an alter boy in his childhood years. He was surrounded by a close knit family that extended far beyond his parents and his siblings Angela, Marianne Rose, and Nannette.
Peter began working at a very young age, before graduating high school. His parents and sisters worked in the Garment District, in Manhattan, which he did as well. I remember his recollections of delivering rolling racks of womens dresses along 42nd street. He later worked in a garage and learned auto body repair, "back in the day" when they "used real lead to fill in the dents" as he once described to me. At a repair shop, he once worked, fixing appliances, he would "install a new spring in the toaster, so that it would launch the toast high up in the air!" He also worked with his Uncle Henry, who owned a fuel delivery service company. Uncle Henry, revered by the family, played a roll in shaping Peter's work ethic. Peter earned his GED and enrolled in the Manhattan School of Aviation where he excelled in aircraft engine repair. Before graduating, he was drafted into the Navy, they were in need of aircraft mechanics.
Navy service entry date, January 11th, 1956. Specialty number and title, AD-6425, Machinist's Mate, Reciprocating Engines, Duty and Command, VR22, NAS, Norfolk, Virginia. Peter served in active duty for two years and completed his reserve obligation on November 25th, 1961 when he was honorably discharged.
Peter met his soon to be bride, Arlene Katz, on a blind date arranged by a friend of the family. They were married on October 3rd, 1959 at St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Church in Bronx, NY. She bore three children, Debora, Suzanne and Anthony. We were the "apple of our parents eye". Peter and Arlene purchased their first home in Country Club, Bronx, NY. In 1970, they moved to Suffolk County Long Island, into a new model home in East Northport. In 2015, they moved together to High Point III in Delray Beach, Florida where he lived most of his remaining years.
1966-1975 Colonial Sand and Stone in Astoria Queens, NY, employed as a diesel mechanic, promoted to shop stewart.
1975-1986 Sans Marina, Peter purchased a marina at 2976 Whaleneck Dr. in Merrick, NY and developed it into a family run business for about 11 years.
1986-1989 Industrial Transparent. Peter purchased and operated a plastics vacuum forming company at 8 Maple Place, Freeport, NY.
1992-1995 National Waste Technologies, Ronkonkoma, NY. Peter worked as an engineer in the manufacture and sale of plastic lumber made from recycled plastic materials.
1996-2006 Colonial Tire Recycling Inc. Peter started a new company in West Babylon, NY, developing process systems for the manufacture and sale of crumb rubber derived from recycled tires. The crumb rubber was sold for use in commercial and non commercial applications.
2010-2015 BH Aircraft Co. Inc. Smithtown Ave., Ronkonkoma, NY. Peter worked as a mechanic at BH, a contract manufacturer of afterburners for use in US military jet fighter aircraft.
Peter loved nothing more than to be at the helm of a boat, cruising the waterways of New York. He was a builder and an ambitious one at that. Before his son was born, he built his first boat. Creating his own plans, he hand carved the keel and ribs from mahogany and constructed, by his own design, a 25 foot v-hull, single screw cabin cruiser, powered by an early 1950s Hercules diesel that he recovered from an old truck. He named the boat, appropriately, after his daughters, Debora-Sue. The day I was born, Peter was out on that boat practicing his second favorite hobby, fishing!
Family came first and foremost for Peter. As a loving husband to Arlene for over 55 years and an adoring parent of three, he worked tirelessly to support his family.
During his years in the Bronx, Peter grew very close with his aunts, uncles and cousins as he was with his immediate family. The three story apartment building the family owned on Continental Avenue was more than just a home for his parents, aunts and uncles. It was the gathering place for all the family to meet, celebrating, holidays, birthdays, and all the events that go along with a growing family. No matter what family member or friend you speak with about Peter, they always respond with affection and a story of that time when he helped out in some manner. For some, he was their protector, for others, a person to confide in. He was the mister fix-it for the family. On Long Island, his neighbors became good friends and friends were like family. He had a pleasant mannerism and a kind soul, always lending a helping hand. His personality and sense of humor was endearing. The family's words, not mine, "your father always had a big smile on his face!" Yes, indeed, he did. He "smiled with his eyes" and his heart would always shine. God bless you, Dad, you're in heaven now. In time we will reunite, and celebrate once again.
With love,
Anthony Peter Colonna