Peter is survived by his children, Katherine Geldrich Turnbull of New City, New York and Peter Michael Geldrich of Valdosta, Georgia; grandchildren, Carolyn and Brian Turnbull; siblings, Joseph “Joe” Geldrich of Missoula, Montana and Elizabeth Marie “Betty,” of Springtown, Texas. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Mantek and his parents, Peter John Geldrich and Marie Geldrich.
Peter was born on August 28, 1941, in Great Falls, Montana to Peter John Geldrich and Marie Geldrich. Known as “Jim” to his family and friends in Montana, he assisted on the family cattle ranch in Augusta, Montana during his early school years. The family later purchased a ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana in 1957 where Jim attended St. Ignatius High school, graduating from there in 1959. Concurrent to his affinity for cow-hand work was a love for the arts, manifesting itself in a life-long passion for clarinet and saxophone playing, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, which would go on to define both his career and much of his leisure time. This search for knowledge brought him to Carrol College in Helena, MT, first as a seminarian, and then as a Philosophy and English major, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in 1963.
After College, Peter joined the army, where he played in the 493rd Army Band and attended Officer’s Candidate School (OCS) in Fort Benning, GA. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he moved to New York City and resided in the New York metropolitan area the remainder of his life. He continued his education, earning a Master of Arts degree from New York University in 1972, and became an English teacher at Taft High School in the Bronx. He would remain at Taft, eventually switching paths to become a guidance counselor, for over three decades.
Peter met Carolyn J. Mantek at Jacques bar in Greenwich Village. Carolyn was an elementary school teacher and their mutual affection for teaching, culture, and each other, began a love affair that resulted in their marriage on New Year’s Eve of 1975. A year later, Peter and Carolyn moved to New City, NY to raise a family. In 1977, they welcomed their first child, Katherine (Katy) and three years later, their second child, Peter Michael (Pete).
Peter became a fixture of the community in Rockland County, NY. He played in the Rockland County Concert Band, served on the executive board of Clarkstown Summer Theater (including one term as president), served on the Rockland County Board of Elections, and volunteered for the Rockland Youth Philharmonic while his son was a member. Upon Peter’s retirement, he and Carolyn enjoyed a couple of blissful years of travel before her untimely death in 2005. They were married for 29 years. After Carolyn’s death Peter went under the care of his daughter, Katy, who lived with him, along with her husband Neil, and their two children, Carolyn and Brian. The last years of his life were spent playfully taunting his grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as “Papi,” and voraciously consuming the ever increasing mound of books by his bedside.
A celebration of life is scheduled from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Services, Inc. in New City. The receiving of guests will be from 1pm-2pm followed by the service from 2pm-3pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Peter's life. There will be a burial service in Montana at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family is collecting donations for the New City Library to honor Peter’s love of literature and his community.
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