Peter C. Garofalo, 66, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away on May 16, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly A. Garofalo of New Port Richey, Florida; his daughter, Felicia (Forrest) Smith of Odessa, Florida; his son, Nick Garofalo of New Port Richey, Florida; his grandchildren, Everly and Scarlett; his niece Lanah (Jimmy) Herrick and children of New Port Richey, Florida; his brother, Daniel Garofalo of Bristol, Wisconsin; his sister, Lisa (Jeff) Mertes of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin; his mother, Piera Garofalo of Bristol, Wisconsin; his mother-in-law, Nancy Lewkowicz of New Port Richey, Florida; as well as brother-in-law Bryan Lewkowicz of New Port Richey, Florida
Every love story is beautiful but theirs is my favorite. A love like no other Peter and Kim were married for 37 years and together for over 40! Their motto “through thick and thin” Two of a kind, and always making each other laugh and spending time together was all they needed.
It was pure joy when he was around, his laughter, and witty personality. His passion for the ones he loved, and the words of wisdom will forever be imbedded in us. He was a stand-up guy!
His youth was filled with adventure, camping, fishing, boating on the lake, jamming on his guitar, and playing chess especially with his late Father. The Holidays with his cousins were some of his best memories.
The stories this guy could and would tell you were endless.
The magic tricks he would do for everyone. We will forever have to wait to know where the quarter in our ears came from!!
His passion for playing his guitar, playing poker, and watching Mob movies especially the Godfather over and over!! Aerosmith and Rolling Stones Music, building balsa wood planes and flying remote controlled airplanes -it was quite impressive, and he was a collector of comics (Superman) and a love for Superman that we will continue forever with his family. He was one good cook too, and obviously sausage grille master!
Pete worked in Chicago for the board of education for over 25 years and then started his own Sign business in 1988. His true passion. He was so creative and truly loved working. Not many people can say that!
He loved life more than anyone. He always said you must look forward to things in life, even just a simple family dinner. Especially if that dinner was at his mother in laws his “momma” who he always confided in.
A true family man through and through!
He loved his children with his whole heart, and you could feel it when he was with them. To call them lucky to have had Daddy like that is an understatement. He could not have been prouder of the wonderful adults that they have become.
His son in law Forrest, you may as well call him a Son. They shared the passion of dirt bikes and pistol Pete loved getting on Forrest’s Yamaha 250 any chance he could! A connection only some can dream of!
Pete was the best grandpa (Gramps) that ever existed. Pure over the moon love for his Evs and Scar Scar. Whoever he would meet he would show pictures, beaming from ear to ear.
To say we will miss him is an understatement. Until we meet again Fly high Flyin’ Dago!
Peter for the Man the myth the legend. Kim’s Forever Love.
In Lieu of Flowers please consider donating to St Thomas Aquinas early childhood Center. Everly has attended preschool there for the past 2 years and will be entering VPK and Scarlett will also attend there. Pete enjoyed the family events the school would put on and adored his Granddaughters more than anything.
Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes - 7 Springs
St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church
Jadzia Kot Wieczner
May 19, 2023, 10:22 pm
Sending our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Alex and Jadzia
Kathy & Jay Jansen
May 21, 2023, 2:28 pm
Kim and family we are so sorry to hear about Peter’s passing. We are so happy that we visited with him and your family this past January in Wisconsin. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Our deepest sympathy, Kathy & Jay Jansen, Lake Villa, IL
Marie K Liebler
May 21, 2023, 11:59 pm
My heart breaks for you Kim and for your kids. Pete was a great family man, always so welcoming to everyone and always made me smile. I’m so sorry this has happened. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Marilyn Satinoff
May 24, 2023, 6:13 pm
Dear Kim and family,
So very sorrow for the loss of your husband, dad and grandpa!
May your memories help you through this difficult time and May his memory be a blessing!
Marilyn Satinoff
Christine Bonsel
May 25, 2023, 9:37 pm
Dear Kim and family,
We are so, so sorry for the passing of Pete. He was a very special person who was loved by many. Losing a loved one is the hardest thing anyone can go through. Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts.
Sincerely,
Christine and Bruce Bonsel
Robert Dils
May 27, 2023, 5:35 pm
Robert Dils
God bless and keep you in this time of loss. Pete was a beautiful man and will be sincerely missed.
Bob Fonzino
May 28, 2023, 12:52 am
Hey little cousin
I have many memories of you… too many to tell. Thank you for being ring bearer at my wedding when you were 10 years old. Thank you for letting me always beat you at table hockey. Thank you for never doing more pushups than me. Thank you for being who are and always being good for a Hug and an “I love you”. I will miss you until we meet again.
You favorite cousin,
Bobby
Michael Dicentio
May 28, 2023, 12:54 am
I will deeply miss my friend Pete of 50+ years. We shared many laughs.
GEORGINE Gumiela
May 28, 2023, 2:49 am
Dear Kim and family
Our condolences to you all. Our hearts are broken for you. May God hold you close and comfort you in this time. 🙏💔
Lisa, David and Barrett Smith
May 29, 2023, 2:08 pm
We truly are honored that Pete accepted our son and family with open arms. He taught us how to love unconditionally.
He was a man of faith, a man of laughter, a man of magic, a man of wisdom, a man of honesty, a man of truth, a man who loved just being with his family and friends, no one was a stranger to Pete. He was truly concerned and interested in everyone’s feelings and plans for the future. He was a man of true love.
We will miss his stories, his jokes, his laughter, his magic tricks, his words of wisdom, his big hugs, his grilling antics, his peppers and sausage, his shrimp scampi, his love for food, and most of all his love for all of us. Pete’s legacy will always live on in all of us. We are so thankful that our family has been touched by Pete and his love.
We love and miss you dearly!
Rick Garofalo
May 31, 2023, 2:20 pm
May 30, 2023
“In loving memory of Peter C. Garofalo:
Whether planning a Halloween or Christmas party, great food (Pequod’s, White Castle, Superdawg, and of course Nottoli sausage), starting a business or anything else, Pete was always the “man with the plan.” His memory lives on in all the precious photos, films, and videos of the great times we had together (like the “Clickety-Clackety Bridge”). We are already missing you– hope you are having a great reunion with Mick!”
Rocco Rotunno
May 31, 2023, 3:12 pm
Peter. The Amphibo. Comfortable on both land and water. Thanks for over half a century of good times. We’ll always have the Civil Air Patrol, even if only for 2 weeks until we couldn’t the discipline and quit. Hope you and Mick are building some Comet planes. Save one for mr. Peace, my friend
Mariann Sorrentino Eder
May 31, 2023, 9:14 pm
Sending you our deepest sympathy. My heart is broken for you, Kim, Felcia, Nick. I am truly blessed to have known Pete, my dear friend. He made a lastly impression on me from the moment I met him some 47 years ago. Playing guitar with his band, singing, camping, dancing, so many laughs and the stories…alot of memories for all of us we will cherish. I will miss your spontaneous phone calls yelling at me to move to Florida already!
And as always, your famous quote to me: “Mon chérie, you have and will always be my friend” –The Flying Dago
Laurie Garofalo
June 6, 2023, 3:38 am
Pete
I have really struggled privately with your sudden departure and I am so very sad for your family as you were loved dearly . I have many memories of you and my last one is helping me when I needed, family was important to you and it showed with your beautiful children Nick and Felicia. I know Anthony was smiling ear to ear to see you not only Mick. May you rest in peace and kick Anthony in his ass for me 😄.. love cousin Laurie
Michael Whitehead
June 8, 2023, 6:08 am
So very sorry, my condolences and prayers. Love and miss you all
Karen Bartyzel Gawrych
August 30, 2024, 2:09 am
Heard that Peter passed while in the midst of planning a 55 year OLG Reunion.
Please accept my belated condolences. I haven’t read a more beautiful obituary than his.
May he rest in peace and may his wife and family enjoy their memories.
OLG 1970 Classmate
Karen Bartyzel