Peter Black

Peter Paul James Black (Pete, Spanish Bum, Nutty Professor, Petey Boy and Pedro)

76 years old. Born in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Staten Island, New York to Louis and Eleanor Black (née Van Pelt). He was the 3rd son of 9 children. He lived most of his life in Great Kills. Pete was never married. His siblings are Thomas Black (deceased) wife Adele (also deceased), Bobby Black (wife Peggy), Ellie Watson (husband Ben), Susan Duval (deceased) (husband Ronnie also deceased), Joan Willadsen (husband John), Louis Black Jr (Buddy) (wife Linda deceased), Jean Guidera (husband Bobby deceased) and Matty Black (wife Angela). He is survived by 20 nephews and nieces - 33 great nephews and nieces and 3 great greats!

He was a lifetime parishioner of St. Clare Church and enjoyed attending the prayer group at St. Joseph-St Thomas Church.

He loved spending time with his family, loved to read (sometimes 3 books at a time in different languages), walk, bike riding, playing cards (May I?) but his true love was music. Played guitar since he was a young teenager and then taught himself the piano!

He was in many, many bands over his lifetime and even wrote some of his own songs.

He spoke fluent Spanish which he enjoyed speaking on his many trips to Spain and self taught Italian, German and French.

He worked as a young man in Great Kills Service Station for many years before working for the Post Office. After retiring from the Post Office he was a language teacher in a few different schools and ultimately taught children guitar and piano up until a serious car accident in January of this year. He attended St Clare School and then to Msgr Farrell and ultimately got his degree from The College of Staten Island.

A funny story about Pete- he had 4 sisters and if asked who was his favorite he really didn’t want to answer. One day it dawned on him that each sister was born in a different season. So when asked the question after making his discovery he would simply answer “Sue is my favorite Spring sister” and so on. He was quite clever!

In lieu of flowers donations to the Alzheimer’s Assn would be appreciated.

Pete was a humble and kind man of deep faith and we will all miss him terribly and look forward to seeing him again one day!