Peter "Pete" A Carmine

April 6, 1920 - May 4, 2019

Peter “Pete” A. Carmine, 99, of Gaastra, Michigan, slipped away quietly to reside among the stars, in the early morning hours of May 4, 2019. His light remains undimmed! Peter was born on April 6, 1920 to Albert and Maria (Quagliotti) Carmine. He was a resident of Gaastra for most of his years. He graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1937. During WWII he served with the 95th Infantry Division, the “Iron Men of Metz”. He drove a truck in the “Red Ball Express”, a crucial supply line for advancing troops. As a member of the 359th Field Artillery, Battery C, he saw action from France into Germany until the war’s end. Peter was employed by the M.A. Hanna Mining Company for 38 years. Peter served as Gaastra’s Mayor from 1951 – 1954. He was a long time member of the Iron County Board of Social Services, and a member of the VFW, and St Mary Catholic Church. On February 7, 1948 he married Mona Clucas. Together they raised four children. Mona preceded him in death in 1984. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Edith (Ted) Oleksy and Eva (Francis) MacDonald, and by his brother Evo, a WWII Casualty. Surviving are his two sons, Terry (Laura) Carmine of Mokena, IL, and Kenneth Carmine of High Springs FL; two daughters, Marybeth (Jack ) Harvey of DeBary, FL and Susan (Doug) Burns of Williamsburg, MI. His four Grandsons were a source of joy: Christian Carmine, Michael (Anna) Carmine, Daniel (Julia) Burns, and Cameron (Meagan) Burns. His beloved great grandchildren include Amelia and Peter Carmine, and Nora Burns. Peter is survived by nieces and nephews, as well. An avid reader with an unquenchable intellect, Pete always had a ready tidbit of wisdom to share. Those who spent any time around Pete soon discovered his talent for spinning an enjoyable story. He was a true raconteur: we loved hearing those same stories over and over. His passions included Italian Food, cross country skiing, politics, working in his vegetable garden, and his family. While working full time he built two family homes in Gaastra and a lake cottage. At age of 70 he undertook building a log cabin with his son Ken. Pete often remarked that he loved one day at a time, trusting in God’s grace. He was blessed with good health for many of his sunset years in Gaastra and was a regular, frequent visitor to friends at local nursing homes. We believe in the words of William Wordsworth that “The little unremembered acts of kindness and love are the best of a good man’s life”. Our family is grateful for the companionship and kindness afforded to him by his home community. We also wish to acknowledge the angels that provided loving care to Pete as a resident at Cherry Hill Haven of Kalkaska. If you are so inclined, it would make Pete smile broadly to have you join us in raising a glass of red wine in his honor to a life well lived. A Funeral Mass will be held for Pete at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Kalkaska on May 10, 2019 at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM prior to the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.