Peter Zaley

P eter Schmin Zaley, 96, of Sunrise Drive, North End section of Wilkes-Barre, formerly of Bear Creek, passed away peacefully, Thursday evening, April 19, 2007, at his residence.
Born July 1, 1910, in the North End section of Wilkes-Barre, he was a son of the late Paul and Eva (Ladyka) Zaley. He was a 1928 graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre, and a 1935 graduate of East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, presently East Stroudsburg University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education.
While attending East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, Mr. Zaley was the two-time captain of the college’s gymnastics team and competed in the Philadelphia AAU Gymnastics Championship. He was also a member of East Stroudsburg’s Warrior football team.
After college, Peter was employed as a lifeguard and diving instructor for the Miami Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. While in Coral Gables, Peter participated in pool shows as an acrobatic diver and trapeze artist, performing over water at a height of 40 feet.
Mr. Zaley was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving his country during World War II and the Korean conflict. He enlisted with the Navy on January 1, 1942, and was placed in the physical fitness program, which at the time, was under the direction of former heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney. Later, Peter requested combat duty and was trained as a PT Boat Skipper.
During World War II, his PT boat participated in the Normandy Invasion and also served in both the European and Pacific Theatres. He was decorated with a Bronze Star, an American Theatre Ribbon and a World War II Victory Medal. Peter was discharged from active duty in 1945, but was called back into service in 1948 as a Commanding Officer of a boat unit during the Korean conflict. Upon his final discharge from the Navy, Peter had attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Prior to his retirement in 1976, Mr. Zaley was employed as physical fitness teacher at Kingston High School, where he was in charge of the Skiing and Gymnastics Clubs and served as the school’s assistant track coach.
A man of many trades, Peter was an accomplished builder, constructing three homes for him and his wife during their 58-year marriage. Peter was a member of Sacred Heart/St. John’s Roman Catholic Parish Community, North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, and a former member of St. Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church, Bear Creek.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Stephen and Michael Zaley.
He is survived by his wife, the former Mary Stefanoski, whom he would have celebrated 59 years of marriage with on October 30, 2007; brother, Robert Zaley, of Long Island, N.Y.; sisters, Steffie Dominick and Mary Kozemko, both of Wilkes-Barre; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Monday from the Mary A. Harostock Funeral Home, 480 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, with Very Rev. John J. Sempa, VF, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary of the Maternity Roman Catholic Church Cemetery, West Wyoming, where military honors will be accorded. The family will receive friends today from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.