Obituary of Peter Paul La Lena

Peter P. LaLena April 30th, 1924 - November 10th, 2012 I was asked to write a eulogy embracing the life that Peter lived, and was honored to have been chosen to do so. As I started to prepare for this; to come up with the proper words befitting him, it became somewhat difficult. I thought about what I could write to encompass his whole life, and the people he touched that spanned almost 89 years? You must think how weak and fruitless any words of mine could attempt to beguile all of you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming, as well as not including fond memories you experienced with him, but I take comfort in knowing that we all shared in his life and he in ours, for there's a little Peter in all of us. My memories, experiences and feelings of him are an honor and privilege that make it so special, and somewhat selfish that I will cherish, but it's only fair to share it with all for a life-time. I feel the best way to remember his life is to celebrate what he did every day - live life to the fullest and laugh a lot, a real lot! He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, but his talent as a person was not based or limited in one of these but shared equally and honorably among them all. I could continue on with how much Peter was a special person but we all are well aware of that, and recognize the importance for all the lives he touched. We have come together, not only to just mourn, but to celebrate his life here and today. You can rest assured that the same is being done all over the world in such places as New York, Colorado, Minnesota, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Mexico, from loved ones and a grateful nation. So the next time you watch a Seinfeld episode, a WW2 documentary, see an Azalea bush in bloom, or drink a glass of red wine, tell Peter what a wonderful world he made it. This is Peter's guide on travel: do yourself a favor the next time you are driving… take the path less taken, and stay off the interstate for the road less traveled is paved with good intentions for a journey that you will enjoy. And one last thing, don't forget the music! Author: for we all are!