Hudson – Peter U. DeCenzo, 87, longtime resident of Hudson, passed away peacefully in his home Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. He is predeceased by his wife of 62 years and the love of his life, Rose Marie (Tanner), who passed in July 2012, and his son, James Michael, who passed in 1994.
Peter, born Pietro Umberto DiCenzo, was the son of the late Pietro U. DiCenzo and Teresa (DiFonso) DiCenzo of Marlborough, MA. He was born and raised in Marlborough along with his siblings, Mary Gabriel, Grace Wattier, Joseph, James, Yolanda Marino, Rose Murphy, Anthony, Ann Duplin, Angelina Garceau, and Marguerite Ingle. His older sister, Anne Duplin, is his only surviving sibling.
Peter is survived by his loving children, David P. of Pueblo, Colorado; John B. and partner Carol L. Toth of Londonderry, NH; Kathleen M. of Hudson, Patricia A. and her husband Scott Szymkiewicz of West Boylston; Rosemary Ramsey of West Boylston; Kevin T. of Marlborough; Jeanne M. and her wife Bridget Gilleney-DeCenzo of Worcester; Anne M. and her husband Robert Connoni Jr. of Holliston; Karen E. of Hopkinton; Maureen T. and her husband John Fulghum of Nahant; and Nancy J. and her husband Rocky Zina of Hudson. He was a loving grandfather to Vincent and Theodore DeCenzo, Rebecca DeCenzo, James, Jesse and Sara (Yost) Kaminski, Shannon and Chelsea Szymkiewicz, Kaitlyn and Morgan Ramsey, Jessica, Jennifer, Julie Anne, Chelsea and James DeCenzo, Olivia and Mariel Fulghum, and Robert and Liam Zina. Peter also had the joy of welcoming 10 great-grandchildren into this world: James, Mackenzie and Brady Kaminski, Emma, Grace and Madelyn Kaminski, Guilamina (Lily) Yost, Jacob and Jesse Roy, and Travis McDonald. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews along with many close friends.
Peter was a graduate of Marlborough High School and, following a tour in the Navy, attended the College of The Holy Cross, graduating in 1951 with a BS in education.
He was quite the salesman and sold insurance and real estate in the area for many years. He eventually pursued his true calling, mathematics, and went on to teach math at Ashland High School until his retirement. His former Ashland students continued to contact him after his retirement to convey their appreciation and respect for him as a teacher and mentor.
He was also a Senior Lecturer at Northeastern University for many years. He passed on his love for mathematics to his children, grandchildren, their friends and acquaintances through his very serious and intense tutoring sessions that continued until his last days. He also loved to spot-quiz his grandchildren and great-grandchildren at every opportunity.
In addition to Peter's love for math, he loved to sing and often initiated sing-a?longs wherever he was, even in his classroom! He was an avid card player and a keen bridge player. In recent years he was most often found at the Hudson Senior Center playing bridge and, on many Fridays, joined in the Center's weekly music jam.
His children wish to thank the many family, friends, and neighbors for keeping a special eye on Dad these past few months. It meant a lot to them.
Peter's funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Feb. 14, at 9:00 a.m., at St. Michael Church, Manning Street in Hudson. Burial will follow in Saint Michael's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be made to The Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center, 112 Main St., Hopkinton, MA 01748.
