Peter S. Chumas, a lifelong resident of Newburgh, passed away at the age of 87, on September 2, 2014. He was born in Newburgh, NY on January 29, 1927 to the late Spero and Katherine (Kalos) Chumas. His parents were one of the first Greek families to settle in Newburgh and were instrumental in establishing St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of which Pete was a member. Pete was very proud of his Greek heritage. One of the highlights of his life was to be able to visit the homeland of his parents. While a student at Newburgh Free Academy, he carried on the legacy of his older brothers by participating and excelling in many sports: football, basketball, track and baseball. After graduation he worked for Fourtunis and Chumas, the family wholesale banana business; as an ironworker; and then as a custodian in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District from which he retired. Pete was an active member of his community. A Boy Scout in his youth, he was a lifetime member of the YMCA from age eight, where he was an avid floor hockey player until well into his eighties. He was also a member of the William Street and Washington Heights Social Clubs where he developed many close friendships and enjoyed playing cards. In his later years, he looked forward to his many trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Pete had a wonderful memory and loved telling stories about his family and himself. He was an outgoing person who loved a good joke and who didn’t have a problem speaking his mind. He never lost his zest for life and always had a song in his heart and on his lips. The family thanks the staff of Elant @ Meadow Hill for their appreciation of his unique humor and their compassionate care. Pete is survived by his cousins Mary and Helen Beldecos; sisters-in-law Antonette Chumas (John d.) and Marie Chumas (Stanley d.); his nieces: Ann Schebesta, Karen Weyand, Cindy Werner, Kathy LaRocca, Linda Kantrowitz, Patricia Chumas, and Wendy Drosnock; nephews: Spero N. Chumas, Spero Z. Chumas, George Chumas, Stanley Chumas, Jeffrey Chumas, Michael Chumas, and Charles Chumas; and their spouses; many grandnieces and grandnephews and several great-grandnieces and great- grandnephews. He was predeceased by his sister Anne and brothers: Harry, Nicholas, Zachary, George, Charles, John and Stanley; sisters-in-law: Florence, Athena, “Kit”, Mary and Vera. Visitation will be held from 1 pm to 4 pm on Friday, September 5 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 19 Fullerton Ave., Newburgh, NY, 12550.
Peter S. Chumas, a lifelong resident of Newburgh, passed away at the age of 87, on September 2, 2014. He was born in Newburgh, NY on January 29, 1927 to the late Spero and Katherine (Kalos) Chumas. His parents were one of the first Greek families to settle in Newburgh and were instrumental in establishing St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of which Pete was a member. Pete was very proud of his Greek heritage. One of the highlights of his life was to be able to visit the homeland of his parents. While a student at Newburgh Free Academy, he carried on the legacy of his older brothers by participating and excelling in many sports: football, basketball, track and baseball. After graduation he worked for Fourtunis and Chumas, the family wholesale banana business; as an ironworker; and then as a custodian in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District from which he retired. Pete was an active member of his community. A Boy Scout in his youth, he was a lifetime member of the YMCA from age eight, where he was an avid floor hockey player until well into his eighties. He was also a member of the William Street and Washington Heights Social Clubs where he developed many close friendships and enjoyed playing cards. In his later years, he looked forward to his many trips to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Pete had a wonderful memory and loved telling stories about his family and himself. He was an outgoing person who loved a good joke and who didn’t have a problem speaking his mind. He never lost his zest for life and always had a song in his heart and on his lips. The family thanks the staff of Elant @ Meadow Hill for their appreciation of his unique humor and their compassionate care. Pete is survived by his cousins Mary and Helen Beldecos; sisters-in-law Antonette Chumas (John d.) and Marie Chumas (Stanley d.); his nieces: Ann Schebesta, Karen Weyand, Cindy Werner, Kathy LaRocca, Linda Kantrowitz, Patricia Chumas, and Wendy Drosnock; nephews: Spero N. Chumas, Spero Z. Chumas, George Chumas, Stanley Chumas, Jeffrey Chumas, Michael Chumas, and Charles Chumas; and their spouses; many grandnieces and grandnephews and several great-grandnieces and great- grandnephews. He was predeceased by his sister Anne and brothers: Harry, Nicholas, Zachary, George, Charles, John and Stanley; sisters-in-law: Florence, Athena, “Kit”, Mary and Vera. Visitation will be held from 1 pm to 4 pm on Friday, September 5 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 19 Fullerton Ave., Newburgh, NY, 12550.