Peter W. Boccuzzi

Peter “Pete” William Boccuzzi, 78, a long-time resident of Westmont and Downers Grove, IL died on June 28, 2023 in Leesburg, Florida after a long battle with cancer. Pete was born the younger of two sons to Philip and Esther Boccuzzi in Chicago, IL on November 27, 1944. Within a few years, his family moved to a small farm area in rural Westmont. Pete attended St. Procopius High School in Lisle. As a teen, he fell in love with engines and machines and built his own go-carts. He worked at the Four Lakes with the grounds crew and later as a gas station attendant until he finished school. After he graduated, Pete went on to study at Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. He first worked at Western Door and Electromotive. But then he built a 30-year career within Western Electric, Bell Labs, AT+T, and Lucent Technologies (all parts of the old Bell System). A lifelong learner, he continued his education taking every class he could through the company. He retired with Electrical Engineering status; he was very proud of his work, company, and the technology they worked on. In 1965, Pete married Margaret “Peggy” McCartney and they had three children. While raising his family there was no job too difficult in rehabbing their 100-year-old home; if he didn’t know how to do a project, he would read everything he could on “how to”. He taught himself out of books from the local library. He fixed TV’s, radios, and lawnmowers as a hobby. He loved family vacations, and he spoiled his dogs. After retirement, Pete and Peggy moved to Belen, New Mexico, where they lived for 15 years giving back to the community. He volunteered with the Telephone Pioneers, he worked with a group of fellow techies fixing talking books and building beep-balls (baseball for the blind and visually impaired). He was an active and faithful member of the United Methodist Church, serving as a Trustee Chair while they built a new church in Belen. He and fellow church members helped build wheelchair ramps for folks in Valencia County with mobility issues. They later moved to Leesburg, Florida where he lived for the last 6 years. In his free time, he would enjoy “tinkering” with old computers, learned Archery, and read about new technology. In the last couple of years, even in sickness, he remained eternally optimistic and friendly. He watched cooking shows and westerns. He loved spending time with family. He read the Bible daily and his faith never wavered. He was preceded in death by his dad, Philip and his mom, Esther, and many beloved dogs. He is survived by his wife, Margaret ‘Peggy” Boccuzzi (Nee McCartney); his children Ruth Calderone (Joseph), Paul Boccuzzi (Beth) and Linda Hoffman (Adam); five grandchildren Sophia, Joseph, Archer, Anthony, and Fiona; and his brother John Boccuzzi (Bonnie). A Memorial Service will be held Friday, July 28, 2023 in the First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove, at 1034 W Maple Ave. at 11:00am. He will be buried in a private ceremony at the Clarendon Hills Cemetery near his parents. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude's Children Hospital. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home of Leesburg, Florida.

Peter W. Boccuzzi

November 27, 1944 - June 28, 2023