Peter Vincent Mazziotti

Peter Vincent Mazziotti of West Grove, Pennsylvania passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024.  He was 82 years old.

Born in Queens, New York, he was the son of the late Peter Vincent Mazziotti and the late Frances Passantino Mazziotti. Peter was also preceded in death by his beloved siblings, Teresa Averso, Provy DiMarco, Joseph, Vincent and Anthony.

He was the beloved husband of the late Melody Maureen Mazziotti; father of Kathleen Moyer (Edward), Carol Ann Tohill (Thomas) and Maureen May (Michael); grandfather (Papa) of Gabrielle Moyer, Jacqueline Moyer, Kyle Tohill, Megan Tohill, Melody-Kate Tohill, Emily May, Max May and Grace May.

Peter was a United States Army veteran and had proudly served 22 years with the New York City Police Department where he worked his way to a “Gold Shield” Detective. The majority of his career was spent in Brooklyn Narcotics and retiring out in the Arson and Explosion Squad in 1986.  The next 20 years of his career life was spent as a Senior Associate Consultant with Thomas J. Russo Consultants LTD. as an independent Private Investigator.

His retirement was spent with his cherished wife and family.  Enjoying good meals- he was known for his sausage and peppers as well as the infamous calzone, planning group trips to Vegas and cruising to Bermuda.  He enjoyed competitive games of poker and scrabble, telling stories of the past, hearing about the “Adventures” of his 8 grandchildren, listening to Sinatra, watching his favorite channel “Turner Classic Movie Network” and of course a good drink and cigar with family and his neighborhood buddies. 

Visitation with the family will be from 11:00AM until 1:00PM at the LONGWOOD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION of MATTHEW GENEREUX, 913 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square.  Divine Funeral Liturgy will be at 1:30PM on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at ASSUMPTION BVM CATHOLIC CHURCH, 300 State Road, West Grove, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donation may be made to St. Jude Research Hospital for Children, click here to DONATE

Words of Remembrance on January 11, 2025

Good afternoon,

On behalf of my sisters and I, we would like to thank you for coming today to honor our father, Peter Vincent Mazziotti. As we began to write this, we quickly became overwhelmed with how many stories and memories we could share about Dad. From our childhood on Long Island, and days of opening and closing the pool, going to Aunt Prov’s or Aunt Terry’s for dinner, or preparing for the New Year’s Eve festivities,  there were just too many to include.

Thankfully,  Tom, my brother in law, came to our rescue. Tom has had a birds eye view on the Mazziotti clan for over 30 years and with his help we were able to put together this eulogy.

So here goes….

Today, we gather to honor the life of a man who was not just a husband, father, Papa, uncle, brother, police officer and detective,  but a source of strength, wisdom, and love to all who knew him. Dad wore many hats within his lifetime, but to us, he was the Rock. In Matthew, Jesus reaffirmed Simon as Peter “the Rock” on which he would build his Church. Peter Vincent Mazziotti was the Rock of this family.  He was the source of strength, stability and support Even when he was considered the “Pet” by Nona, or “Mean Uncle Pete” by his nieces and nephews, he made sure his family always came first.   If there was an emergency, Dad was the one behind the scenes taking control. He was the one that his siblings called for advice and guidance. If you ever needed anything you could count on Dad to have your back.

Even if it meant not sharing with your husband that you backed into the garage at the beach house Mom and Dad  rented. As one of us was hysterical, Dad quietly went into the house, called the homeowners and the repairmen and had the garage fixed before anyone else was the wiser. Dad was always the first person to ask how he could help. If you were lucky enough to know Dad, you had someone who was going to be in your corner, no matter what.

Dad was witty, quick with his jokes and loved to laugh. I can’t remember a family gathering that the majority of time wasn’t spent smiling and laughing. Dad was infamous for giving out nicknames to everyone he knew, from his daughter’s boyfriends to now husbands, his wife,his siblings, his nieces and nephews and especially his grandchildren. Here are just a few: The Queen, Bowlie, Beans, Mickey, Zigster, Megalita, Little Mickey, Miss Gabrielle or Miss Jacquline,  Em-a-lee, and the Gremlins. These names were all terms of endearment and if you were ever called your full name, you knew something was up. We can confidently say that Dad spent his days surrounded by those who made him laugh and in return,  made them laugh, as well.

Dad loved to travel, he and Mom were regulars in the casinos of Atlantic City, Las Vegas and aboard several cruises to Bermuda. In fact, Dad and Mom loved these trips so much that they  rarely went alone, bringing along as many family members  as possible. He simply enjoyed having the company of others, from cards in the dining room with his siblings, to scrabble games with Katie- that up until the very end he was still winning, to cigars on the back deck with neighbors. Dad was sort of a social butterfly, though he would NEVER freely admit that.

Dad was a proud man, who was even prouder of his service. In his 22 year career in the New York City Police Department, he worked his way to a gold shield detective, spending most of his time in Brooklyn as part of the Narcotics unit and then the Arson and Explosion Squad.  Dad was known as a “cops, cop” Which for those who were on the job know, this is a high compliment. Dad retired just to continue to work for the next twenty years as a private investigator. In the last months with Dad, he shared with me how proud he was that his brothers followed in his footsteps and joined the police force.  

The love of Dad’s life was Melody. I have never seen a man so in love with a woman as I had with my Dad.  Wherever they were, you would see them holding hands, checking in with each other or having a cup of coffee together. Their love story is a tale that movies and books could be written about. Their love has been a true inspiration to us. When mom passed years ago, you could see that the huge heart he wore on his sleeve was broken and Dad was never the same. We all take comfort in knowing they are reunited in Heaven,  holding each other’s hands for eternity.

As Dad’s struggle with dementia Progressed and took more of  his recent memories, he relied heavily on his past memories. We were so lucky to be able to walk down memory lane with him. We were able to get a better picture as to who Dad was. - as a young boy dealing with twin brothers, to  working in his father’s butcher shop, to being a cop in Brooklyn and to taking Mom out on their first date.  That is why, when it came to taking care of Dad, it felt like a blessing  to be with him.

Dad was an extremely proud man who fought until the end. But in the end, he chose when to go. Like always, he chose what was best for us and passed quietly in the night. Dad, we will never stop sharing your stories, using your nicknames and making your calzone. We will never stop using laughter as a way to connect with people and we will never forget how much you loved us. Thank you for being such a wonderful father.  

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