Peter A. Mazzeo

Peter Anthony Mazzeo, 83 of Emerson, NJ (Manchester, NJ) passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 11, 2025. He was born in Hackensack, NJ on September 13, 1941, and was raised in Emerson, NJ. He is predeceased by his father Anthony “Babe” Mazzeo, mother Santa Mazzeo, sister Linda Janssen and brother in-law Bob Kwietniak. Beloved significant companion to Marie Rebhun. Devoted father to Peter Mazzeo, Jr., Joseph Mazzeo and wife Christine, Michael Mazzeo and wife Kim. Loving grandfather to Michael Anthony Mazzeo, Nicholas Mazzeo, Jacqueline Montgomery, Rachel Mazzeo, Luke Mazzeo, Logan Mazzeo and Louden Mazzeo. Dear brother to Sandra Kwietniak. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Peter grew up in the town of Emerson where his father owned a gas station, was the Chief of the Fire Department and served as one of the first Special Police Officers. He often spoke about how a call for service would come in through a phone booth located near the station that prompted his father to close the station and respond as back up to the full-time police officer. Service to the community was bred in him at an early age. Peter was part of the first graduating class at Assumption School and graduated from Westwood High School where he played football and wrestled. While attending school, he also had to work at the gas station with his father. After graduating he joined the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department before starting a career with the Emerson Police Department in 1962 where he finished a 39-year career. He served in the capacity of Detective and Juvenile Officer for many years until finally making it through the ranks and ultimately becoming the Chief of Police (1990 - 2001). He became the President of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association in 1999 and a member of the New Jersey State Chiefs Association. Peter was a pillar in the Emerson Community where he enjoyed coaching the youth baseball teams, volunteering as a coach in the high school and playing in the town Softball League where he was known for his fierce competitiveness in winning and sometimes giving umpires a headache. He also served on the Board of Education as a past president and was a member of the Assumption Knights of Columbus. He was the founder of the Emerson Youth Guidance Council and Emerson Recreation Commission. During his retirement stage, he lived in the Hideout community located in Lake Ariel, PA and then moved to the Renaissance community located in Manchester, NJ. Here he found much joy in playing golf, bowling and traveling with many of his dearest friends. He became a member and president of the Law Enforcement club, and The Renaissance Shields.

Peter was a genuinely good person who cared about making a difference. He will always be remembered for his love of the community, cars, sports and family. He was very organized, was always the first to arrive and the first to leave an event, was very persistent in getting things done once on his mind, he was strong but fair, and most importantly a great father and grandfather who loved his family unconditionally while devoting much of his time trying to prepare them for the trials and tribulations of life. He is loved and will be missed.

The family will receive their friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Friday, 2-7PM. Funeral Mass at Church of the Assumption, Emerson, NJ on Saturday at 9:30AM. Interment to follow at Westwood Cemetery, Westwood, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Emerson Police Community Policing, 1 Municipal Place, Emerson, NJ 07630, would be appreciated.