Pedro Enrique Wasmer

Pedro was born on August 10, 1940, in Santiago de Cuba to María Josefa Odio Buch and Pedro Enrique Wasmer Arnaz. His father died when he was just two months old. He and his mother were welcomed into his paternal grandparents’ home, where he grew up in a large and loving family of aunts, uncles and cousins. In 1951 his mother married Dr. Vincent H. Roca, and they relocated to Baltimore where his sister, Josephine Maria Roca, was born.

Though he did not speak any English when he arrived in the United States, Pedro graduated at the head of his class from the prestigious Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1958. He attended the University of Maryland – College Park, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1962. At Maryland, he was president of both his class and the Student Government Association, and he began his lifelong affiliation with the Sigma Chi fraternity. He also completed a Master’s program in Latin American studies at American University in 1964.

After college, he and some of his college and Cuban friends moved into the OK Palace, a basement apartment rich in laughter, adventure and camaraderie. It was during that chapter that he met Ann “Gussie” Gustafson, who was working on Capitol Hill as an aide to Rep. John Ashbrook (R - OH).

Pedro and Gussie married on January 29, 1965, in the chapel at the University of Maryland – College Park. They had three children: Peter, Jennifer and M. Conrad.

In 1970, Pedro and Gussie moved their family to Fairfield, Conn., where he was active in many civic, philanthropic and educational activities, including Civitans, the Board of Regents of the Fairfield College Preparatory School, and the Sacred Heart University Discovery Museum and Planetarium. He also served as a director for various organizations, including the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, where he was on the Executive Committee, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, and Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut. He was inducted into Fairfield Prep’s Hall of Fame and the Free Enterprise Hall of Fame of Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut.

Pedro and Gussie built a summer home in Chatham, Mass., in 1977. Many summers of family, friends, and fun on Cape Cod ensued. Pedro loved exploring the waterways and sandbars of the Cape in the trusty motorboat, the Santiago, and his beloved Marshall catboat, the Pemanjen. He was also an avid swimmer and loved to make the trip across White Pond with friends, family and his dog, Whipper.

Throughout his career, Pedro was a respected and trusted business leader. After briefly practicing civil engineering, he became involved in the IT industry and the leasing of high-technology equipment. In 1980, he founded his first equipment-leasing firm, Somerset Investment Services, which was later acquired by Goldome Bank. He later formed Somerset Investment Services, Ltd. and then St. James Leasing, Ltd. – named for his hometown of Santiago. Somerset Capital Group, Ltd., which Pedro founded in 1996 to operate as the parent of the other two companies, was sold in a management buyout in 2007. In addition, Pedro was a director for Santa Energy and Chrome Capital.

Pedro and his businesses earned broad industry recognition. He was a director of the Equipment Leasing and Financing Association, and for many years, Hispanic Business Magazine named Pedro’s companies among the top 500 Hispanic-owned firms in the country, ranking Somerset number 40 in 2005. The magazine also selected Pedro as a finalist for its “Entrepreneur of the Year” award. Somerset Capital Group, Ltd., was twice chosen by Inc. Magazine as an “Inner City 100” company, and the firm was selected as Supplier of the Year by the Connecticut Suppliers Development Council.

Pedro was a true Renaissance man who loved culture, art, poetry, music, dance, literature, fine cars and homes, and beauty of all kinds. He cultivated an exquisite rose garden at their home in Fairfield and became an orchid expert when he and Gussie moved to Naples, Fla., in 2012. After retiring, Pedro helped develop the beautiful historic building at 305 Knowlton Street – now a creative hub and event space in Bridgeport, Conn. He and Gussie also traveled widely and wildly – from dug-out canoes in Panama to a river boat in the Amazon to cruising the Danube. Among his favorite adventures, though, were his periodic pilgrimages to Pamplona, Spain, for the running of the bulls – which Gussie did not join.

In Naples, Pedro and Gussie built a generous and truly Floridian home which served as the focal point for the family gatherings they both loved. Pedro enjoyed walking along the Gulf, visiting the Botanical Garden, and making new friends everywhere he went. He was dedicated to nurturing his relationships with family and friends, remained active in supporting Conservative causes, and stayed connected with his Sigma Chi brothers through the fraternity’s Naples chapter. He especially appreciated the people, food and view at the Naples Sailing & Yacht Club.

With gratitude for the opportunities afforded by his education and experience there, he maintained a strong connection to the University of Maryland throughout most of his life, including serving on the Board of Visitors for the Clark School of Engineering and the Board of Trustees for both the University of Maryland – College Park Foundation and the University Systems of Maryland Foundation. Pedro endowed a professorship for the Department of Civil Engineering, and a rotunda at the Clark School of Engineering bears the Wasmer name. In 2008 he received the Alumni Association’s Tyser Gottwals Award for his service to the university.

Pedro is preceded in death by his wife, Gussie, and his granddaughter, Sadie Jane. He is survived by his three children, their spouses, and five grandchildren: Peter and Kathleen Wasmer, Lydia, Sophie and Pierce; Jennifer Wasmer and Urs Winzenried; and Conrad and Kristi Wasmer, Bayly and Elliott. He is also survived by his sister, her husband and their daughter: Josephine Maria Odio (née Roca), Otto G. Odio and Jessica Odio Smay. He is missed by them and countless others.

A Celebration of Pedro’s Life will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 777 Mooring Line Drive, Naples, Fla., 34102. The service will also be available via livestream.

Pedro’s family is very grateful to everyone at The Chateau at Moorings Park, NCH and Avow Hospice for their care and kindness to him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Emmanuel Lutheran Global Seminary – a non-profit organization preparing pastoral leaders in Florida and around the world. Please send donations to 777 Mooring Line Dr., Naples, FL 34102