Peter M. Arato

Peter M. Arato, 83, who resided in Lake Grove, Long Island, NY, for more than 50 years and lately in Cape Coral, FL, died at home on Saturday, August 6, 2022, after a short battle with cancer. To the end, he lived with the quiet dignity and fortitude that all who knew and loved “Big Peter” recognized at the core of his character.

Peter was born on December 9, 1938, in Brooklyn, NY, into the large and loving family of Francesco and Angelina D’Ambrosio Arato, emigrants from Padula, Italy. Like many families maintaining traditions and building lives in the United States, Peter and his 10 siblings (Angelina, Ralph, Margaret, Josephine, Teresa, Frances, Carmela, Michael, Lorenzo, and Antoinette) loved and protected one another as they navigated the challenge of humble beginnings in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. Home, family, and food sustained them through childhood and continued to nourish as the Arato family grew and prospered.

Young Peter was an exceptional athlete and, after an injury ended a budding career in the baseball minor leagues, he turned to the courts. Basketball propelled Peter through college and introduced life-long friends. Peter graduated from the University of Tulsa in 1966 and began a long career in the petroleum industry. He was, above all, his own man, and his entrepreneurial spirit drew him to various enterprises in sales and construction during a long career.

A shy man, nonetheless, Peter’s wide smile and infectious laugh often made him the life of the party, regaling friends and family with stories of his Brooklyn childhood and military service. Sports grew his circle of friends throughout his life: tennis friends from Harbor Hills Country Club certainly will remember Peter’s driving serve and the powerful gin & tonics he served up off court. The inner child fueled Peter’s passion for toys—including Matchbox cars and model trains—and his generosity to extended family, especially during the holidays. His children will never forget Peter’s talent for grilling steaks, tossing pizza, and his specialty: waffles & ice cream.

Peter was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Cape Coral, as well as Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Centereach, NY.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Janet Scala Arato of Cape Coral; three children Jennifer Wealton (Scott) of Cape Coral, Christine Arato (Erik Kreusch) of New Oxford, PA, and Peter Arato (Amy) of Cranford, NJ; nine grandchildren: Stephen, Luke, Elizabeth “Scout”, Gabriel, Theodore, Katherine, Erin, Benjamin, and Caleb; and 19 nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. His memory lives on in family.

In lieu of flowers, the Arato family requests contributions in memory of Peter M. Arato to Brooklyn Youth Sports Club (www.brooklynyouthsportsclub.org), whose mission to help youth in their pursuit of college education using basketball as the hook for academic engagement and character development mirrors Peter’s own chance at success and embodies his generosity of spirit.

A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 1922 SW 20th Ave., Cape Coral, FL 33991.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.