Peter Thomas Vitarisi Sr.

Peter was born on March 22, 1943 to Maria and Francesco Vitarisi in Sambatello, Italy. He was the youngest of three children.

Peter immigrated to America at age 13, arriving at Ellis Island to join his father, his sister, Margaret, and his brother Nick in Salamanca, New York where he started high school. Peter was a friendly person who was known for his easy smile, his big, beautiful eyes, his charming personality, and his sense of humor. He made friends wherever he went and had a genuine interest in connecting with people.

Peter found his calling on the golf course early in his life when he joined his brother, Nick, as a caddy at Elk Dale Country Club. Not long after, the head pro recognized Peter’s talent and work ethic and by age 16, he was offered a position as Assistant Pro. In 1965, Peter was drafted into the army and arrived for basic training at Ft. Ord, California on the beautiful Monterey Bay. It was here he met the love of his life, Evelyn Lorraine Leonard. They settled in Monterey, near Evelyn’s parents and large extended family of sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, all of whom Peter loved dearly.

In 1969 Peter accepted a position as Assistant Golf Pro at Monterey Peninsula Country Club and a few years later, he was hired as the head Golf Professional at Pacific Grove Golf Links, where he served all who visited for over 35 years. Peter was an integral part of putting Pacific Grove Golf Links on the map as one of the most popular courses on the Monterey Peninsula. His business acumen as not only the head pro, but as the concessioner and owner of the golf shop business drove him to bring groups from all over the United States and the world, to his golf course. He reached out to country clubs, municipal courses, and men’s and women’s clubs to organize tournaments, host BBQs, and make Pacific Grove Golf Course one of Monterey Bay’s destination courses. In fact, in 1985 Peter created the first two-man tournament in the state. Peter gave thousands of men, women, and children golf lessons over the years as well as providing golf lessons pro bono for Monterey Peninsula College students. In recognition and remembrance of the contributions Peter made to the Pacific Grove Golf Course and the City of Pacific Grove, a golf tournament will be held at Pacific Grove Golf Course, “The Annual Pete Vitarisi 2-Man Best Ball Tournament” over two weekends in February beginning in 2026.

Peter’s greatest joy in life and what he was most proud of was the family he and Evelyn created. They had four children, Christine, Lisa, Peter Jr., and Elizabeth. Peter and Evelyn loved having a family and Peter was a dedicated father, a loving husband, and a wonderful provider. He and Evelyn enjoyed traveling and seeing the world. They took many vacations abroad, but the vacations they loved the most were spent in a motorhome with their four children driving across the United States seeing the sights, as they drove “back East” to see Peter’s brother and sister-in-law Nick and Carol, and their children Dean, Debbie, Brian, and Bruce and Peter’s sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Joe and their daughters Sina and Maria. Eventually, Peter and Evelyn’s family grew to include eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Peter enjoyed playing with his grandchildren, attending their sporting events, and spending holidays with them. He was overjoyed to have great grandchildren—he loved babies, and he could always be found holding his latest little blessing.

Peter was a lifelong car enthusiast and was a proud member of the Porsche Club. Peter and Evelyn shared a deep faith and were parishioners at San Carlos Cathedral for fifty years. Peter was a member of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) for 50 years.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents Maria and Francesco Vitarisi, his beloved wife of 56 years, Evelyn Vitarisi, his sister-and brother-in-law Sally and Peter Curatolo, his brother-in-law Ricky Elves, and his brother-in-law, Joe Fusco.

He is survived by his sister Margaret Fusco, his brother-and sister-in law Nick and Carol Vitarisi, his daughter Christine Vitarisi, his daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Clay Mathews, his son and daughter-in-law Peter and Shelley Vitarisi Jr., his daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth and Martin Suro, and his grandchildren Meredith Frazier (Logan), A.J. Clarey, Gabriel Mathews (Erica) Nicole Barba (Tye), Faith Clarey, Sage Suro, Audrey Vitarisi, Tatum Vitarisi, Tristan Suro, Nico Vitarisi, and Kaleb Suro, as well as four great grandchildren, Bella Frazier, Paisley Blevins, Braelynn Blevins, and Noah Mathews. Peter is also survived by his beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews whom he held dear to his heart.

A rosary and remembrance for Peter will be held Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at The Paul Mortuary, 390 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove, California 93950. A memorial mass will occur Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM at San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church Street, Monterey, California 93940.