Peter Paul Coronato

Life-long Willow Glen resident Peter Paul Coronato passed away at the age of 83 at Good Samaritan Hospital. Peter was born in San Jose to Italian immigrants Peter Joseph Coronato and Violet Oliverio Coronato. Until the age of eight, the family lived in a little house right behind his Grandparents house. As the first grandchild of John and Julia Oliverio, Peter spoke Italian before he learned English and spent much of his early years being carried around by his Grandpa John. He joked that he really didn’t learn to walk until he was almost five! The family grew to include sisters Julie and Linda. Those early years consisted of happy gatherings with family and friends from the local Italian American community, always accompanied by platters full of delicious Italian pastas and sweets.

Peter attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and Bellarmine College Preparatory. Friendships formed during those early school years remained close throughout his life. After graduating high school, and after a bit of gentle arm twisting by his Uncle Gene Oliverio, Peter went to work for J.E. Higgins Lumber Company. Throughout the years, he worked in almost every position including Credit Manager and Outside Sales, retiring in 2003 after 40 years.

In 1986, Peter met Nancy Lima at the Willow Glen branch of Bank of America. They fell in love almost immediately. Nancy brought a sense of settledness to Peter, and he wanted to be by her side. They became a devoted couple for eleven years before marrying in July of 1997 and shared 40 wonderful years together. Sober since 1982, Peter said his life really began when he met Nancy. His love and devotion to her was constant and without limit. He had many pet names for Nancy, but one of her favorites was “the only star in my blue heaven”.

Peter always loved music and could be heard singing almost anytime and anywhere. He especially loved to sing the Italian music he had been exposed to as a child. In the late 60’s, he was lead singer for The Four Roses and a Fifth, a band formed with a group of high school buddies. He knew the words and titles of almost any song of that era, as well as the group and label. Peter also was a classic car collector, winning awards for his many pristine and immaculate classic Chevys, Buicks and Cadillacs. When he’d drive the red ’60 Cadillac convertible around town, friends would comment that it was “hard to miss”. Peter and Nancy made many lifelong friends and enjoyed car tours, concourses, and car club events during those years with CHVA and the Danville Dukes.

Peter had a closetful of color coordinated shirts and was known for always looking very dapper. In addition to his collection of shirts and classic cars, he collected whatever other item happened to strike his fancy at the moment. He valued his friendships and valued family even more. With his dry sense of humor and warm smile, he made friends easily wherever he went, including his favorite haunt of the last few years, The Cup and Saucer. He had a soft spot for all dogs, but especially Buster, who has been by his side for the last 16 years.

Peter was adored by Nancy’s two daughters who blessed him with “The Magnificent Seven”, his grandchildren. They were the cherry on top of his union with Nancy, and he focused in on whatever was important to them - whether it was football, synchronized swimming, Star Wars, or the latest toy they wanted. He became the ultimate Papa to seven young people who loved him dearly. As the grandchildren married, his love expanded to include their spouses.

Peter will be forever loved and missed by so many, including his loving wife Nancy, precious sisters Julie Pellegrini and Linda Burkhart (Dale), adored nieces Amy Bellah (Matt) and their children Sophia, Emerson and Nolan, and Danielle Covey (Jason) and their son Jackson, loving daughters Kimberley Christofferson (Tony) and Kristen Campbell (Sean), and 7 treasured grandchildren and their spouses; Joshua (Brenna), Blake (Mackenzie), Jace (Paige), Avery (Zachary), Madeleine (Jonah), Lorelei, and Gwyneth (Chase). Papa Peter passed looking forward to his first great-grandchild arriving later in 2026.

Peter was predeceased by his mother Violet, his father Peter Joseph, parents-in-law James “Bud” and Virginia Lima, brother-in-law Joe Pellegrini, and many aunts and uncles. We wish to thank the nursing staff at Good Samaritan who tended to Peter during his final days, especially Dr. Matthew Levy M.D., and the compassionate nurses of Vitas Hospice.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Peter on January 2, 2027. Please email Nancy at [email protected] to get details for the celebration of Peter’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please reach out to a loved one and tell them how much they mean to you.