Peter S. – Senior Living Residence Spotlight
This month’s senior living residence focuses on Peter S. He’s a a New Jersey native, who has taken up residency at Renaissance Village Murrieta.
Peter S. was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on August 12, 1932. He grew up with one younger sister, who’s three years younger than him. Peter had another younger sister, but she passed away when she was only six weeks old. He enjoyed playing sports as a kid and was on a baseball team where he took all county third baseman.
Enlisting in the Air Force
When he graduated high school, he and his buddies enlisted in the United States Air Force. The opted for this instead of waiting for the draft. Peter was one of 250 men in the Aviation Cadet Program. At the time of his involvement, the program was set up to help the Air Force better the academy. The cadets weren’t meant to graduate. Instead they helped find faults and fix the curriculum for future cadets.
Peter had a strong desire to be a pilot, but later became a Radar Navigator. He got his commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force, and received his wings and board. Peter was preparing to go to Korea, but in the last 6 weeks of his training he washed out. Instead of going through pilot training again, he opted to go home. He was in the Air Force for a total of 21 weeks. Peter considers himself lucky to have gotten out when he did as some didn’t have the same opportunity.
Biscuits & Die Making
When Peter returned home he went to work. He worked Burry’s Biscuits, a cookie factory based in Elizabeth, NJ. He later worked at a machine shop that his brother-in-law owned. Peter was a tool and die maker, and he ran the layout and supervision of the die makers until he retired after 44 years.
Peter & Josephine
He met his wife, Josephine, through his cousin when the two went on a double date with her and her sister. They went on outings together, and later married. Josephine was a great match for Peter. They got along great and he enjoyed their relationship. He shared that he does a lot more listening and isn’t the most personable at times. She never complained, and she was always there for him when he needed her.
They lived in a six-room house with his brother-in-law until they bought their own home in South Plainfield, NJ. Peter and Josephine have four children, two boys, Stephen and Peter, and two girls, Ellen and Debbie. Peter feels they did a good job raising their kids. He shares they all turned out good and had no trouble getting through school. After they graduated, they all went their ways and are doing well for themselves.
In addition to his children, Peter also has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. When the grandchildren started being born, they realized they needed to be closer if they wanted to watch them grow up. So, Peter and Josephine made the move out to California.
Peter’s wife, Josephine passed away five years ago from Parkinson’s Disease. Peter himself also faces this disease.
During his time at Renaissance Village thus far, Peter enjoys the people. He’s happy to have people looking out for him and the transition was a lot easier than he thought it would be. His new life is picking up and it’s getting better and easier for him.
