Peter Vanderveen Jr.

Peter was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania to Peter and Maude Milby Vanderveen on October 19, 1931. He went to school at Charleroi High School. He married Lois Eileen Lami on June 9, 1953 in Charleroi, PA. An Army veteran who served in the Korean War, he was wounded in action and was awarded both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

He began his working life as a roofer working for his father. Peter then went into the wholesale grocery business where he worked in sales at Fox Grocery Company in Belle Vernon, PA. He was promoted to sales manager of their division in Baltimore, Maryland before becoming the sales manager for P. A. & S. Small Company and then Louis Lehrman Co. which was renamed as Super Rite Foods. Peter ended his career as part owner, President and Chief Operating Officer of Super Rite Foods, Inc. He was actively involved in and served as an officer or on the board of directors of several grocery industry organizations including the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association and The National American Wholesale Grocers of America (NAWGA). He was well known and recognized with awards from both regional and national grocery associations.

Peter is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Lois Lami Vanderveen, his brothers Stewart Lee Vanderveen, Sr. and Fred Vanderveen, his sister Betty Lou Vanderveen Norris, nephew Michael Vanderveen, and long-time companion Bernadette Summers.

Peter loved and took care of his family until the end. He is survived by his sister LaVerne Vanderveen Giordanengo of Charleroi, PA and his children Lynne Vanderveen of Mechanicsburg, PA, Lori Vanderveen Gunter and her husband Jamie of Richmond, VA, and David Vanderveen and his wife Erika of Carmel, PA. Peter is survived by his eight grandchildren: Travis Smith of York, PA and his wife Laura, Ashley Gunter and her husband Reese Irwin of Naperville, IL, Brittni Dunklebarger and Chaun Hyson of York, PA, Chelsea Gunter Macias and her husband Miguel of Midlothian, VA, Kate Vanderveen, Megan Vanderveen, and Samantha Vanderveen of Carmel Indiana. Additionally Peter is survived by six great-grandchildren: Caydence Hyson, Lilian Smith, Cassidy Hyson, Emilia Irwin, Camille Hyson, and Luca Gunter Macias. Peter is also survived by nephews and nieces he loved: S. Lee Vanderveen, Jr., Stephen Giordanengo, Fred Vanderveen, Jr., Patricia Dudas, Carol Silveira, and Patty Ball.

A private Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at a later date and communicated to others at that time. Arrangements are being made by Hodges Funeral Home in Naples, FL. The interment will be at the North Naples Church where he will be placed with his wife, Lois.

The family of Peter Vanderveen wishes to extend our sincere thanks to his friend and companion Donna Anderson who was with him through 2 surgeries, his hospitalization and by his side when he passed. We can never fully express our appreciation for her love and care. A very special thank you also to Linda Weitzel and George Lampert, the best kind of friends who have helped Peter through the death of Bernadette Summers, been there through his surgeries, brief illness and death, and have been invaluable to his children at this time. These are all special people with love and compassion to share.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New Hope Ministries in Mechanicsburg, PA, Harry Chapin Food Bank in Naples, FL, or World Central Kitchen.