Peter A. Prato, 72, of Toms River, NJ, passed away on Tuesday October 16, 2018 at Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ. Born and raised on Staten Island, NY he moved to NJ in 1984 and settled in Toms River upon retirement 16 years ago. Peter was a US Navy Veteran having served in Vietnam aboard the USS Beale. He was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with One Star. Peter worked for many years as a District Manager for QuickChek Corporation. He was a proud member of the George P. VanderVeer American Legion Post #129 of Toms River and a member of the Viszla Club of Greater New York.
Peter grew up with a love of the outdoors and earned the achievement of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed training his beloved late Viszla, Natasha, for hunting tests where they received a Junior Hunting Advanced Title along with several ribbons. Peter enjoyed hunting and fishing especially with his dear friend, Jim Buebendorf. He also loved to cook, watch cooking shows and collect cookbooks. Peter was a loving and giving person who enjoyed entertaining friends and family. No matter where he was you could always find him in the kitchen. He will always be remembered as a Gentle Giant, with a larger than life personality that will be dearly missed.
Peter is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Donna Stewart Prato; two daughters Amy Lockhart and her husband John and Lindsay DiSomma and her husband Sean; two sisters, Suzanne Cutler and Georgette Cosmas and her husband Nick; a brother, Michael Prato and his wife JoAnne; three grandchildren, Andrew and Matthew Lockhart and Scarlett DiSomma. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, October 25, 2018 from 4 to 8 PM at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home 26 Mule Road, Toms River, NJ 08755. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday October 26, 2018 at 11:30 AM at St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Church 130 St. Maximilian Lane Toms River, NJ 08757. Entombment of cremains with Military Honors will follow at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Peter’s memory to either the Freedom Service Dogs of America at www.freedomservicedogs.org. (Please be sure to include “In Memory of Peter A. Prato.”) Or you may make a donation in his memory to The Canine Health Foundation. Checks can be sent to Florence Duggan 451 Longfellow Ave Westfield NJ 07090. (Again please be sure to include “In Memory of Peter A. Prato”.) Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.quinn-hoppingfh.com.
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