It is with great sadness that we announce that our longtime and beloved parishioner, +Peter Filak, reposed in Our Lord early in the morning on Christmas Day, December 25.
(He is pictured above, at left, celebrating Pascha in 2008 with John Rusinak and Fred Fetkowitz.)
Peter had been in declining health particularly these past two weeks, struggling under the burden of heart failure. His loving wife, Andrea, was by his side aiding him throughout. He will be remembered as a devoted part of our parish family, serving for years in the Choir and on the Parish Council, helping take care of our finances, and also as President of the parish. He was always careful, rigorous, and kind; Fr. John noted that despite serving for so many years, through sometimes contentious issues, Peter always remained dignified, gentlemanly, and never raised his voice, saying what needed to be said gently and persuasively. In recognition of his long and devoted service to our parish of St. Andrew, he was awarded a gramota (citation) this past July by His Grace, our Bishop Michael.
With Andrea, he is survived by his brother, John; his daughters, Anastasia and Stephanie; his sons-in-law, Jeremy and Robert; and two grandchildren, Genevieve, and Robert.
The funeral arrangements are as follows:
- Wake – Clayton’s Funeral Home
Tuesday, December 27: 7PM – 9PM.
Wednesday, December 28: 2PM – 4:30PM, 7PM – 9PM.
- Panikhida (Memorial) – Clayton’s Funeral Home
Wednesday, December 28, 8:00 PM.
- Funeral – St. Andrew Church
Thursday, December 29, at 10:00 AM
- Burial – to follow, at Calverton National Cemetery.
May the memory of the servant of God, the newly-departed +Peter, be eternal!
Andrea:
I was saddened to hear of Peter’s passing. I have some great memories of the times we spent at Penn Mutual (especially our bowling team). My condolences to you and your girls. He will be missed.
Love
Honey
I will always remember Peter’s professionalism and kindness. He was my family’s agent at Penn Mutual for years. When my father passed in 1999, Peter was there. Helped out through and through. I’ve known him for 30 years. Always informative and knew his business like no other. My wife and I had dinner with Pete in Yonkers, New York during 2005. We ate at Spirituosos on McClean avenue. I overordered as usual and we made sure Peter headed back over the bridge stuffed. Whenever we would talk on the phone he always referenced that night. The last time i saw him was at Alpine Bakery in Smithtown where i had given him bread out of my bread truck. He was always so thankful . What a guy. I am sad tonight to find he passed. I wish i had known earlier. I will pray for him and his family . I still have one of the yearly birthday cards from the company always hand signed from Peter. It means more than ever now. rest in peace. Thomas Griffith, Mamaroneck, New York.