Peter Mokay

DELHI, N.Y. Peter Mokay, age 74, of Delhi, N.Y. died suddenly Thursday morning, May 22, 2003 at O'Connor Hospital in Delhi, N.Y. Mr. Mokay was born in Maplewood and attended Maplewood School and Watervliet High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, working in the postal unit. This lead to his lifelong interest in zip codes and his collection of postcards from around the world addressed simply to Say Something Nice 13753. He served at Tulley Bay, Greenland and also in Germany (auf Wiedersehen Peter). He was employed at Marshall Eclipse before moving to Delhi in November of 1949 to begin Mokay Bros. Inc. with his brothers. They operated Mokay's Grocery Store, Mokay's Liquor Store and Mokay Brothers' Appliances. He truly believed in giving and served his community for over 30 years. He was a member of American Legion Post 190 of Delhi, The Delhi Volunteer Fire Department, The Delaware County Republican Committee, Delhi Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis. He was a communicant of St. Basil's Orthodox Church in Maplewood and also attended St. Innocent Mission in Oneonta. Born in Maplewood, N.Y., he was the seventh child and the sixth son of the late Demetrios and Mary Rogosky Mokay. His kind heart made him many friends around the world. He enjoyed cooking and was well-known for his huge batches of spaghetti sauce which he shared abundantly with all. He believed in kindness and his motto of Say Something Nice was remembered by all who met Peter. He lived life his way. He loved his family and was proud of all their accomplishments. He loved giving and had, in fact, given people the shirt off his back. His home had an open door and all were welcomed to come in. Peter is survived by his wife of 50 years, Vera Viola Wasilenko. He was the proud father and father-in-law of Peter Mokay and his wife Joan of Troy, Linda Kostun and her husband Dr. William of Troy, Alan Mokay and his wife Kathy of Liverpool, N.Y. and Paula Phipps and her husband Jeffrey of New Albany, Ind. He was the beloved Poppi to Linda, Paul, Tyler, Kaitlyn and Alyssa Mokay, Alexis, Zachary, Lara Kostun, Brittany and Sierra Phipps; brother of John Mokay and his wife Teresa, William Mokay and his wife Irene, Andrew Mokay and his wife Nellie, all of Delhi, Anne Mokey and her husband, the late Michael Mokey, Catherine Bielewa and her husband Frank of Maplewood and Mary Bushallow and her husband David of Kensington, Md.; also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews that he loved. He was predeceased by his son, Philip and his brothers, Alexander and Michael, and his sister, Tina. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 26, 2003 at 10 a.m. from Parker Bros. Funeral Home, Broadway, Watervliet and 10:30 a.m. from St. Basil's Church, Archibald St., Watervliet with the Archimandrite Nicholas Iuhos officiating. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Parastas services will be held at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Basil's Handicapped Access Fund.