Peter Thomas Waitikowich was born on June 22, 1923 in Jonestown, Cass Township, PA.  He was baptized and received first communion and then moved to South Plainfield, New Jersey where he spent most of his youth with his nine siblings.

Peter joined the U.S. Navy on July 27, 1942 and served our country faithfully until receiving honorable discharge on November 8, 1951 with the title of Chief Commissaryman serving aboard LST 849, LST 371 and USS Odum. During his tenure, Peter proudly served in both the European and Pacific theatres of operation and participated in the invasion of North Africa, Italy, Normandy, Anzio and the occupation of Japan. He was a member of the American Legion Post 92 for 33 years and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1210.

After returning from service, Peter accompanied a good friend to MN where he found himself strapped for cash. To his great fortune, his friend Tom connected him to Mahlke's Bakery in Winona, MN where he met and married Dolly Corlyn (Squires) Waitikowich who preceded his death. Peter married his bride, Dolly on September 4, 1948 and remained faithfully united for over 60 years. Peter continued on at the bakery while completing his electrical journeyman license. Peter served as Superintendent with Nietz Electric in Rochester, MN. He was hard-working and expected nothing less from those around him. Peter was the longest IBEW member with over 66 years invested in IBEW Local 343, as well as Local 949 and 110.

Peter settled in Rochester, MN with his wife Dolly and daughter, Julia Ann (Curt) Walter, in 1963. Together they owned and operated Cascade Grocery where he also served as the butcher on evenings and weekends for 10 years while working as an electrician. Next to his family, Peter stayed committed to his faith, attending Redeemer Lutheran Church when able and he was active in his community. He shared his handyman and electrical talents with volunteer projects at church and with the veterans, an example being the Veteran's Memorial.

Peter had a natural way of making everyone feel important, special and part of his family. Those that know him, in any capacity, know that they are his "old buddy," "neighbor" or a list of other nicknames or numbers, never which was your birth name and initially may not have sounded so nice, but always had the best intentions of nice and always left you with a smile and warm heart. Peter adored his granddaughters and built the neighborhood playhouse wired with an intercom, lights, telephone and blinking stoplights. He was grandpa to many over the years.

Peter loved to travel, especially when it included his family, the ocean and large ships. He loved to take "his girls" out East to the shore where his sisters and brothers were close by and whom he treasured. Most importantly, Peter was a proud brother, father, godfather, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and veteran. He loved his family, his friends and neighbors and his country. Peter will be greatly missed until we reunite with him in heaven.

Peter is survived by his sisters Anne Butrico of South Plainfield, NJ and Helen Chasse of Middlesex, NJ; daughter Julia Ann (Curt) Walter; three granddaughters Jessica Lynn Ihrke (Timothy Anderson), Jadea Leigh (Siroos) Abolahrari, Jessica Elaine (Joshua) Underkofler; two great granddaughters Raeya Ann Abolahrari and Amelia Elyse Abolahrari; and many nieces, nephews and godchildren whom he loved dearly.

Peter's family would like to thank Dr. William Ward and his care coordinator Ashley at the Mayo Clinic Rochester who enabled him to fulfill his wish to live at home with his daughter and son in-law. Peter passed peacefully in his sleep at home on January 4, 2017.

Family requests memorials to the Salvation Army, any veteran's organization of choice, the Good Samaritan Fund at Redeemer Lutheran Church or simply being kind to your "neighbor."

Celebration of life service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Friday, January 13, 2017. Visitation at 10:00AM. Service at 11:00AM. Arrangements made by Macken Funeral Home. Burial with Military Honors will take place at Oakwood Cemetery and fellowship thereafter at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Friends and family welcome to visit family at the Walter home, 2897 Lake Vista Drive NW, on Thursday evening (January 12) from 5:00-8:00PM.