It is sorrow that we
announce the death of longtime member of St. John’s, Peter Karonis of Cushing.
There will be a
service for him on May 4th, 2013.
PETER KARONIS
Rest eternal, grant
to him, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon him.
CUSHING - Commander
Peter Karonis, U. S. Navy (Retired), 89, a long-time resident of Cushing,
passed away Jan. 2, 2013 in Boca Raton, Fla., after a short illness. Peter Karonis was born on Nov. 28, 1923 in
Somersworth, N.H. His parents Peter and Mary Karonis, moved to the United
States from Greece in the early 1900s. Peter grew up in Chelsea, Mass., the
youngest of four children, and attended Chelsea High School, graduating in
1942. In high school he excelled in both academics and athletics.
He was accepted as a
midshipman to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1942. Peter later graduated
first in his class and, for exceptional achievement at Massachusetts Maritime
Academy, received the Irving L. Wood Memorial Award for the highest marks in
seamanship and navigation. After graduation from the academy in 1943 with both
his merchant marine officers license and a commission as an Ensign in the U. S.
Naval Reserve, he joined the American Hawaiian Steamship Company and sailed as
the second mate on the steamship S.S. Illinoian on convoys in the North Atlantic.
In late 1943 Peter
transferred to the United States Navy and served as an officer in the Submarine
Forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet. This included assignments on board the
submarine U.S.S. Sunfish and tender U.S.S. Sperry. At the end of World War II he decided to
continue his naval career and served as an officer on board Navy ships
operating around the world. This duty included combat action on board the
destroyer U.S.S. O'Brien during the Korean War.
Peter commanded the
destroyers U.S.S. George and U.S.S. Taussig in 1957 and 1960, respectively. He
later served a tour on the Navy staff in Washington D.C., where he retired as a
Commander in 1969.
Peter received
numerous military awards including the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation
Medal, and campaign medals for World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War.
Following retirement
he entered the restaurant industry, and was the owner and operator of the
Shrimp Boat Restaurant in Fairfax, Va., for five years.
In 1974, Peter left
the restaurant to retire in the coastal town of Cushing with his wife Dorothy
and family. While in retirement he was an avid member and later post commander
of the Friendship Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3095.
Peter renewed his
lifelong affiliation with the seagoing profession in 1978 by going back to sea
as a ship's officer in the Merchant Marine. He joined the American Transport
and Trading Company and served as a second mate on various oil tankers until
1984.
In full retirement
Peter remained very involved in woodworking, the Friendship Veterans of Foreign
Wars post, and being a loving father, grandfather, and uncle. He loved Maine,
its people, and life in Cushing.
Peter was
pre-deceased by his brothers George and Theodore and sister Sylvia.
He married Clara Dorothy
Jones, a school music teacher, on Aug. 27, 1950 in Lemoore, Calif. They had a
loving relationship and marriage for 36 years, until her early passing at the
age of 60 in 1986.
Peter is survived by
his four children, Peter Joseph III (Cathy), Jeffrey Key (Tracie), Adrienne
Ann, and John Anthony (Cari). He has eight grandchildren, Megan, Mary
Elizabeth, Emily, Christina, Peter Joseph IV, Stephanie, Erin, and Anne.
A memorial service
will be held in Thomaston in late spring 2013. The family has asked that, in
lieu of flowers, any contributions be made to the Commander Friendship VFW Post
3095, c/o Eugene E. Grant Post Commander, P. O. Box 114, Friendship, ME 04547.
Peter's
accomplishments reflected a lifetime of exceptional achievement, service to his
country, a commitment to doing things right, and being a loving and dedicated
father.
