Peter Sonny R. Gherzi

Peter was the beloved son of Peter and Helen Gherzi of Bronx, New York; caring nephew to his ten aunts and five uncles; devoted brother to his four sisters Helen “Sis” Wagner, Jean Romano, Lucille Zambetti, and Barbaro Zarro; dear friend to his many cousins; exuberant uncle to all his wonderful nephews and nieces; proud father of his three daughters Vikki Gherzi, Sandra Pocharski, and Tina Gherzi; and playful grandfather to Nicholas and Christopher Pocharski whom he loved deeply.

Peter was born September 8, 1929. His youth was spent as a well-loved, well-fed Italian boy who was an excellent student for the nuns and enthusiastic stick ball player and mischief maker with his friends. At seventeen, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He served from 1946-1949 and is a World War II veteran. He studied electronics engineering as a young man and began a successful career in programmable control systems at Philco and then Westinghouse. His early years as a civilian engineer for the military brought him to Thailand, Korea, and Japan, where he relished the culture, people, and food.

Peter loved the ocean, and he loved to travel. He was married from 1962 - 1979 to Barbara Gherzi (nee Malucci) and brought his young family to Nicaragua for three years. The family then settled in Northern California where their lives became intertwined joyfully with the Leoni cousins in Los Angeles. Peter moved to Southern California in 2000 and traveled across the country in his RV to see his family and friends wherever they lived.

Four years ago, Peter moved to Revere, Massachusetts and enjoyed many happy times with his grandsons and the extended Pocharski family in Marblehead. He was thankful for the many kind people at Prospect House, Boston Medical Center, and Winthrop PACE Center who provided him with excellent comfort, care, and friendship as his health waned due to cancer and cardiovascular issues. He was surrounded by family in the days prior to his death.

Family and friends will gather in New York and Los Angeles in the upcoming weeks to celebrate Peter’s zest for life and his love of family. Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead.