On May 10, 2025, Peter Henry Munro, age 84, peacefully passed into Heaven surrounded by his family.

Peter entered this world in New York, New York on February 13, 1941, the son of Henry and Violet Munro.  Five years later, his sister Penny joined the family.  Henry later moved the family from Richmond Hill, New York to Port Jefferson, so Peter and Penny could grow up outside the city on Long Island.

As a boy, Peter discovered a love of mechanics.  He found an old abandoned car, tore the engine down part by part, then rebuilt it to see how it worked.  He and his father built a hydroplane in the garage, which repeatedly sank in Long Island Sound.  Pete worked at an auto garage, and he and his friend Vinnie spent their free time fixing up their own cars.

After high school, Peter took his love of mechanics to the United States Navy, where he enlisted and became an Aviation Machinist.  He tested so well that the Navy raised him to Navy Aviation Cadet School in June 1962, the course that would define his professional career.  Pete graduated flight training and on January 22, 1964 and commissioned as an Ensign and Naval Aviator.  Pete earned the chance to fly jets.  He flew light attack aircraft and became a flight instructor.

When the United States entered the Vietnam War, Pete flew an A-4 Skyhawk with the “Saints” (VA-163 Squadron), catapulting from the deck of the U.S.S. Oriskany.  The Saints suffered some of the highest casualties of the War, especially in the early years Pete served.  Pete flew dangerous bombing missions, enduring anti-aircraft fire and MiG encounters.  On several occasions, flak pierced the wing and fuselage, causing fires and once, the complete loss of all fuel from a gaping hole through the wing.  Pete tethered to a helpful tanker before the plane stalled, flew all the way out to the Oriskany, disengaged and glided in for a one-shot carrier landing,

After every mission, his Skyhawk landed safely and his tailhook caught the deck cable.  Pete credited this to God’s grace, and the many prayers of Penny and his parents.

After earning numerous service medals, Pete left the Navy for the pinnacle of the commercial airline industry, as a Captain of a Pan American 707.  He toured the world and discovered a love of travel and exploration.  After Pan Am declined, Pete restarted his career from the ground up, flying cargo to South America for L.A.B., then re-entered passenger service with Arrow Air, Piedmont, then US Air, from which he retired after a full career.  Along the way, he achieved a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry Riddle and completed his Navy career flying an A-7 Corsair with the Reserve, retiring as a Commander.  He also worked several years in the 1970’s as an Air Marshall, and after retirement from aviation, with the TSA.

Pete was most proud of his daughter Lisa and son Devon, and his best decision, marrying Cathy Stevens Munro of Tarpon Springs, in 1987.

Pete leaves behind a family grateful for his role in their lives.  Those surviving include: Cathy, Wife of 38 years; Daughter Lisa Bechtold (Mark); Son Devon Munro (Kari); sister Penny Haavig (Tom); grandchildren Steven Jr., Hans, Cynthia, Dane, and Gracie; great-granddaughter Chloe; nephews Aaron and Jimmy; and nieces Tiffany, Tonia, Caitlin, Elizabeth, and Hannah; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Family and Friends are invited to celebrate Pete’s life at First Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs on May 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, with military burial service commencing at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, 701 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, (727) 942-0515.  Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Make-a-Wish foundation, https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=dfr_landing&chid=100-000.