On February 14 ^th , at 11:32 pm, our forever Valentine, Peter Charles Tomsheck, peacefully left this world and moved on to the next. At the very end he was surrounded by the love and comfort of his wife, his sister, and three generations of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Pete was born on January 10, 1934, to Blanche (Richotte) Tomsheck and Peter Joseph Tomsheck in Bridgeport, CT. He grew up in the East Side of town, a section well known for its immigrant populations, and his stories about all of the good food he would eat as a result were enough to make anyone's mouth water. Pete loved food, and these food stories were some of his favorites to tell in later years. A proud graduate of Warren Harding High, Pete recently celebrated his 70-year class reunion alongside fellow class of 1951 graduates. He was well known for the poems he would compose and recite at each of these events. It was shortly after graduating high school that Peter met the love of his life, Bernice "Bunny" Haley. Theirs was a great American love story, and for Pete, there was nothing more important than the life and the home he built alongside Bunny. The two were married nearly 70 years ago on September 26, 1953, and didn't waste any time starting a family. Peter, Kathleen, Dennis and Mary were the other greatest loves of his life, and he was as proud of his children as anyone could be.

Pete spent 33 years walking the streets of Stratford as a United States Postal Service Mail Carrier. He was fondly known as "Whistlin' Pete" for the tunes he carried along his routes. He was so appreciated by the communities he served that the local newspaper published an article wishing him well upon his retirement in 1989. His involvement in his community was devout and lifelong. He was a strong supporter of the Scouts and held a position as board member at the local YMCA. He also spent countless mornings and afternoons volunteering at the Merton House soup kitchen in Bridgeport, and was a faithful congregant at St. James Roman Catholic Church for many years. In addition to his community and religious service,

Pete had many hobbies and passions to fill his many days. He was an avid stamp and coin collector, platform tennis player, and history buff. He specifically loved American history, and took his grandchildren several times on memorable trips to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. He loved the music of Benny Goodman and other Big Bands of the '30s and '40s, and he cherished the many trips he took to Las Vegas with his wife.

Peter was predeceased in death by his parents, many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his beloved daughter, Kathleen Tomsheck. He is survived by his loving wife Bernice, sister and best friend Jacqueline Tomsheck, children Peter Harry (Dorothy) Tomsheck, Dennis (Karen) Tomsheck, and Mary (Mark) Case, great grandchildren Sen, Phoebe, and Kikkio Lindsey, Kathleen St. Amant, and grandchildren Sarah Lindsey, Brenda St. Amant, Kimberly Mittleman, Lindsay, Meghan, Peter, Haley and Matthew Tomsheck, and Mark and Richard Case.

Visitation on Tuesday February 21 ^st from 4- 7 pm in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 22 ^nd at 10 a.m. meeting directly at St. James Church 2070 Main St Stratford. Interment will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider making a donation to The Thomas Merton Center at 43 Madison Avenue in Bridgeport, CT 06604.