Peter C. Bjorklund

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Peter C. Bjorklund, 75, of West Brighton, a retired city bus driver and family man who enjoyed time in Florida, died Sunday in The Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center, Freehold, N.J., where he had been a patient for three weeks.

The lifelong West Brighton resident graduated from Curtis High School.

Mr. Bjorklund worked as a bus driver for the city Transit Authority for more than 25 years.

He enjoyed fishing and gardening, and was proud of the tomatoes he raised. He also was fond of vacationing in Florida during the winter months.

Mr. Bjorklund was a wonderful husband and father and doted on his grandchildren, family said.

He had a tough exterior, but underneath was softhearted, kind and generous, and will be missed by all who knew him, said his son-in-law, Edward Jacoby.

Mr. Bjorklund was preceded in death by his daughters, Susan Bjorklund, in 1986, and Veronica Bjorklund in 1988.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, the former Joyce Ozieman; his daughter, Ellen Jacoby; his brothers, Alan and Walter, and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, also West Brighton.