One of ten children, Peter was born June 20, 1921 in Springfield, Massachusetts to the late Pietro and Eva (Gandolfo) Frangiamore. Peter attended Springfield schools, graduating from Technical High School. Peter and Josephine Guarnera, also of Springfield, were married on October 17, 1942. She predeceased him on April 10, 2019. Peter first worked at the old Springfield Armory as a machinist before enlisting in the Navy and serving in World War II where he continued his skilled trade. Most of his working years were with New England Telephone, retiring in 1977 after a series of management positions in Massachusetts. After leaving Springfield, Peter and Josephine lived in Bridgewater for many years and had resided in East Dennis for the past 42 years and he, most recently, with his daughter, June and husband Bill. They had enjoyed winters in Florida where they made many lasting friendships.
Peter tended to his garden daily and had a small apple orchard that yielded an abundance of fruit. But, his favorite pastime and talent was fixing things. He had an amazing ability to make things work after they had been broken. He was an avid baseball enthusiast, having coached his nephews when they were teens and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s athletic, music, and other school events.
Peter is survived by daughters Ellen Colburn (James) of Merrimac, Massachusetts and June Casey (William) of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts and grandchildren Gregory Colburn (Kerry) of Louisville, CO., Erin Beattie (Michael) of Belmont, MA., Philip Colburn (Jacqueline) of Atkinson, NH and Patrick Casey (Kelly) of Dover, NH and his beloved great-grandchildren Hayley and Sam Colburn, Sebastian and Isabel Beattie and Jack and Evan Colburn who brought him much joy. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the team of Broad Reach Hospice in Chatham for the love and care they provided Peter and his family during the past several months. The nurses, CNAs, social workers and staff were wonderful to him, always greeting him with a smile.
“He left the field quickly. His game had gone well into extra innings and he played well.”
Family and friends will gather at the home of June and Bill Casey on November 24, 2019 at 1PM to enjoy Peter’s favorite foods and to celebrate his long life. His final resting place will be at the Bourne National Cemetery at a later date.
