Peter T. Pieroni

Peter Thomas Pieroni, 90, of Bardonia, NY, passed away on May 20, 2012 at Summit Park Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was the only son of Fiama Domenica & Giuseppe Pieroni, of Lucca, Italy. Peter was born on May 9, 1922 in the coal mining town of Norton, WV. His family moved to Manhattan and eventually settled in the Morris Park area of the Bronx. Peter graduated from Christopher Columbus H.S. in 1941. He began working at Empire Tool Products, Inc. where he was involved in the production of airplane parts for use in WWII. He also attended City College of N.Y. part-time until he joined the U.S. Army. Peter proudly served his Country from 1943-1945. He was deployed to the European Theater from Camp Shanks in Orangeburg, NY. After his service in the Army, he went to work at Mastro Plastics as a tool & dye maker, where he was fortunate enough to meet the love of his life, Joan Crowley; they married in 1954. He left Mastro Plastics to join the NYPD in 1951, and was assigned to foot patrol in the 45th Precinct in the Bronx. He progressed through the ranks and returned as Captain to the 45 in 1981 as its Commanding Officer. He retired from the NYPD in 1985 after 34 years of dedicated service. When Capt. Pieroni retired, the Bronx Borough Commander said, "Peter was able to be Mr. Nice Guy to his officers, while at the same time commanding their respect." He was a member of the NYC PBA, the Captains Endowment Association, the National and Hudson Valley 10-13 Clubs, the Superior Officers' Council, the Holy Name Society, and the Rockland County Shields. Peter is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, his son Joseph (Pamela), daughters, Catherine Grant (Michael), Gina Pieroni, and Patricia Burstyn (Jefferson), and grandchildren, Mark Pieroni, Caitlin & Adam Grant, Sienna & Thomas Pieroni, and Emily Burstyn. He is also survived by his sister, Alda DeScenza and brother-in-law, Walter Crowley, along with many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, and three sisters, Assunta, Anna and Lina. Peter will be sorely missed by his wife and children that adored him. The family will receive visitors Wednesday, May 23, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, located at 321 South Main Street., New City, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday May 24, 2012, 10:15am at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack, NY. Private cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.