Peter T Brichetto Sr.

Peter “Sonny” T. Brichetto Sr age 76 of Portland passed away Tuesday evening July 18, 2017 at Maine Medical Center following a brief illness.

He was born in Portland March 25, 1941 the son of Peter A. and Sarah (Minervino) Brichetto. He is the second oldest of six children. Sonny grew up on Frederick Street and attended Portland schools. Most people commonly referred to Peter as "Sonny"; a nickname lovingly given by his maternal grandmother, who often called him "Sonny boy".

Sonny left school his junior year to work full-time at Maine Fisheries to help support his large family. Soon after he left school, he met the love of his life Carolyn Dewolfe. Four years later, they would marry.

In 1960, he left Maine Fisheries to pursue a career in the railroad industry; a career that would last him twenty five years. Sonny started as a yard Break Man for Portland Terminal of Maine Central Railroad, and retired as a general yard master in 1985. A long side his full-time job, he also began a new business endeavor called Sonny's Oil Burner Service. This business started in the 1960's and ran through the 1970's.

Upon his retirement from the railroad, he launched "Sonny's Variety Store" on Congress Street in Portland. This quickly became a successful family business where friends and locals would gather. In later years, he would use this business to sponsor a baseball little league team that all five grandsons would play on.

Now a successful business man, he began another side job- "Sonny's Vending". He was an old fashioned man, with old fashioned values, who would offer business deals on a simple hand shake. This moral compass paved the way to yet another successful business, which flourished from 1992 to 2006. In the early 2000's he turned the reigns of the variety store over to his eldest son, Sonny Jr. This new semiretirement allowed Sonny Sr. to enjoy the things he loved.

Many fun trips were made in his RV with friends and family. Known for their large social circle, these trips always gave an illusion to a "convoy" on the highway. When the seasons changed over to winter, Mr and Mrs Brichetto would follow that highway to Florida. Residing in the town of Bradenton, Sonny and Carolyn always invited visitors. This was a place of deeply cherished memories.

Aside from RV trips, Sonny loved to visit his brother's auto shop ABC service. This was another favorite place to gather, drink coffee, and eat donuts. If he wasn't sharing a laugh at the shop, he could be found popping in for surprise visits with his children and grandchildren. He was a man who valued his family, and could be counted on to always show up thirty minutes early to a family function- usually with large quantities of food to offer in hand.

In 2005, his wife Carolyn, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. As a loving and dedicated husband, he stepped up to learn new roles as the care taker (with the help and support of his children). Never once, did Sonny leave her side. In her final months, they would still dance together. Often joking as he would help her up from the wheel chair, it was time to waltz. On November 22, 2006, Carolyn passed. Sonny held on to the promise of being together again one day.

After his wife's passing, Sonny had more time on his hands and returned back to work. This time, as a shuttle driver for Mermaid Transportation. There, he drove people from their vehicles to the hospital from 2013 to 2017. Always social, he quickly befriended his riders. When Sonny fell ill, these newly found friends would make it a point to visit or bring flowers during every hospital stay.

Sonny was predeceased by his loving wife of forty-four years, Carolyn; his parents Peter A. and Sarah, and his brothers Paul and Thomas Brichetto.

He is survived by his children, Susan Lambert and husband Paul of Gorham, Peter T. Brichetto, Jr.,of Portland, and David Brichetto Sr. and wife Whitney of New Gloucester. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristin Jeffery and husband Brendan, Carolyn Lambert, Timothy J Brichetto, Kyle Brichetto, David Brichetto Jr., Joseph Lambert, Kevin Brichetto, and Renee Brichetto, and his siblings; Agnes Ruminski of Portland, Richard Brichetto and wife Sherry of Windham, and Michael Brichetto of Portland; along with nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Monday July 24, 2017 from 4 - 8PM, and on Tuesday July 25, 2017 from 2-4 & 7-9PM at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Prayers will be recited Wednesday July 26, 2017 at 9:15 AM at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church 72 Federal St, Portland. Interment will follow in the family lot at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. For further information and to send a tribute in Sonny’s memory please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com. If so desired, contributions may be made in Sonny’s memory to the American Lung Association of Maine, 122 State Street. Augusta, ME. 04330.

Arrangements under the direction of Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, Portland, ME.