Peter Alexander Kwasney
August 25, 1940 — June 16, 2020
Peter Alexander Kwasney, 79, a resident of Fort Myers, FL since 2007, formerly of Buford, GA, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2020 in Fort Myers. He was born August 25, 1940 in Elmira, NY to Aleck and Pauline Waschezyn, now deceased.
Peter was of the Catholic faith and serviced in The United States Navy. While in the Navy, Peter was assigned duties as radioman on the USS Mount McKinley based out of the Azores. His hobby with ham radio suited the Navy’s purposes well. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Peter was sending messages using Morse code to the fleet that were blockading Cuba. The USS McKinley was one of the flagships during the operation so Peter’s role down in the bowels of the ship in the radio room were very important.
After his discharge and a few years in his hometown of Elmira, NY, Peter decided to pursue additional education in Florida. He attended Daytona Beach Community College and later, FSU in Tallahassee. He obtained his business degree along with some pre-law courses. While in Daytona Beach, he joined GE Systems. Peter became involved with computer programming on the Apollo missions and worked at Cape Canaveral.
He moved several times while working at GE including Richmond, VA, Phoenix, AZ, West Palm Beach, FL and even spent some time in London, England. Various jobs sent him all over the country, but one took him to Atlanta in 1979.There he met Barbara and their lives were forever entwined.
They built 3 houses together during those 40 years and enjoyed traveling, hot weather, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea fishing and anything else associated with the ocean. Peter and Barbara married in 1986 at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, NV and renewed their vows there 30 years later. After living in the Atlanta area for 27 years, they moved to Fort Myers, FL in 2007.
Peter had retired from his electronics sales career and relished the slower pace of SW Florida. However, he often said retirement is more work than “Work”! All of you who knew Peter remember that he could never sit still. Always wanted to be doing something; helping out, repairing things, letting everyone else relax.
Peter very much enjoyed seeing family in NY and WI. His best memory was for his surprise 75th birthday. That touched him more than he could ever say. Now we will continue to celebrate his life as he wanted. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS
He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Barbara Kwasney of Fort Myers; brother, Philip Kwasney (Shirlee) of Elmira, NY; as well as a large and loving extended family.
Peter was preceded in death by a brother, Christopher “Kip” Kwasney.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Details to be announced via www.MullinsMemorial.com
Memorial contributions can be made in Peter’s name to the following: Florida Sherriff's Youth Ranches-Boys Ranch, 2486 Cecil Webb Place, Live Oak, FL 32060, or Animal Care Trust Fund, c/o Lee County Animal Services, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers FL 33912, or Florida Elks Charities, c/o Lodge #1288, 2180 West First Street Unit 320, Fort Myers FL 33901.
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.
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