Peter Sivonen

Passed away peacefully on April 27, 2015. Peter was a Professional Civil Engineer for ADOT. Peter is survived by his wife Cyndy, son Tarik, (Laurie) daughter Tanya, (Brian) and two grandchildren Brigit and Jake. Peter graduated from Norwich University in 1963 commissioned as a 2nd LT. in the Army. Peter served in Vietnam 1965-1966. Graveside services will be held on Monday, May 11th at 10:30AM at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Muhammad Ali Research Center.

Pete Sivonen – A Remembrance

I knew Pete for 56 years. I knew him when we were both 18. We first met and shared a room as Norwich University ‘rooks’. We were well suited to each other. He was a taciturn fellow from Fitchburg, MA who didn’t use two words if one would do. I was a shy, socially immature fellow from Glens Falls, NY who had little to say. As we endured the upperclassmen’s abuse and began the journey from boys to men we developed a mutual respect for one another and the beginning of a lasting friendship. Pete helped me with my tennis game though I was never in his league. He also saw some hope for me as a skier. He had been skiing for years, I guess, on the little hill there in Fitchburg and I had never been skiing. We both joined the Norwich Mountain and Cold Weather group as it was then called and learned about skiing as the army envisioned it. He knew how and I didn’t but with his help I managed to avoid breaking anything. Thanks to him I went on later to work as a ski patrolman there and elsewhere. I remember vividly the day Pete’s Dad died and he had to rush home. Then, as now I felt helpless to ‘make it better’.

We went to what was then Keene Teacher’s College to double date, he a local gal, Cyndy, who later became his wife and lifetime partner and I several young ladies including, briefly, one of Cyndy’s sisters. Pete and I climbed a mountain or two along with these young ladies and I had the pleasure of watching Pete and Cyndy’s relationship ripen. When they married Cyndy’s family welcomed me and her Dad put me to work on preparations for the reception. Shortly after Pete graduated he headed off to Vietnam, a part of his life I’m sure he was happy to have over with later. While he was away I visited Cyndy with Sally, my new wife and vividly remember their new son Tarik sitting in his high chair spreading his dinner as far around the room as possible.

We both went on with our lives in our own directions but still managed to connect from time to time. We visited them in Laconia and in Bow and we both watched our families grow. When Pete and family moved to the Phoenix area we saw each other far less frequently but still managed to connect when they were back in the east. I remember Pete once taking me for a long hike through the Superstitions and sharing the beauty of the desert with me. And, sadly, we watched as Parkinson’s took its inevitable toll on Pete, again unable to help, beyond sending what we hoped were semi-entertaining emails too infrequently.

My Mom died at 59 and my dad at 74, the same age as both Pete and I now. Since we were 48 when people would say to me “How are you?” I’ve responded “not bad for an old guy.” People would laugh but I now note that they first say, “Oh, you’re not that old.” I realize that I am now “an old guy” and fortunate to still be here. Pete made it this far and considering the disease I’d guess that makes us all fortunate. I lost another friend to the same disease last year. I have two other friends who have it. I have attempted to inspire both of them with the story of Pete and how long he survived it. We take dinner, conversation, and occasionally my tools to visit one of them every Monday night.

Bruce Starbuck April 2015