Obituary of PETER J. LACERENZA

Peter J. Lacerenza, 96, formerly of Stamford, Connecticut, died on December 20, 2014 in Milford. Born on May 22, 1918 in Stamford, Connecticut to Frank and Mary Manfredi Lacerenza, he was a retired antique refinisher who worked for William's Antique Shop in Old Greenwich for over 40 years. He is survived by his son Frank and his wife Arlene Norko Lacerenza of Milford, as well as two grandchildren, Christina Smith, and her husband Gary, of Southington and Peter of Danbury; two step-granddaughters, Ellen Steer and her husband, Michael, of Issaquah, WA and Valerie Gospodarek and her husband, Andrew, of Lafayette, CA; a step-grandson, Adam Kindilien of Milford; two great-grandchildren, Carter and Reagan Smith, and two step-great-grandchildren, Ben and Sarah Steer. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marie Lombardo of Trumbull, as well as several nieces and nephews, many of whom thought of Uncle Pete as a father. Pete was predeceased by his beloved wife, Theresa Russo Lacerenza, his son Peter, his parents, and his brother, Joseph, and sisters, Nellie, Angie, Lucy and Nettie. Pete, a veteran of World War II, was awarded the Bronze Star, the P.O.W. Medal, and three Battle Stars for heroic and meritorious service while serving in the U.S. Army during the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944, when he was taken prisoner of war and held until April, 1945. Pete was a musician who played banjo, guitar and, from 1940 to 1982, played tuba for many local concert bands and symphonies. He was an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish of Stamford's Holy Name Society, and was named their "Man of the Year" in 2002. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Darien, CT. Relatives and friends may call at the Lacerenza Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 from 9:00 - 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.