Obituary for Peter Fini
Obituary for Peter Hugo Fini
(12/31/1922 - 9/19/2023)
Peter "Pete" Hugo Fini was born of humble beginnings on December 31, 1922 in Toltec, a coal mining camp near the town of Walsenburg, CO. He was the 4th of 5 children born to Italian immigrant parents, Pietro Fini and Anunziata Lenzini Fini. At age 2 the family relocated to Walsenburg where he attended St Mary's Catholic School, graduating in 1941.
During his childhood and young adult years Pete discovered his love of fly fishing. He fondly recalled summer days spent on the Cuchara River with his dad and friends, his first fishing pole fashioned from a nearby willow branch and string.
As a teenager, Pete played in "The Merry-Makers”, a 16-member accordion band. This All-Southern Colorado group performed extensively, including at the State Fair. A Pueblo Chieftain article from 1938 reported that The Merry-Makers were known for "their proficiency with intricate numbers", as well as "their enviable reputation as masters of melody, and of stirring music of all kinds."
In 1943 World War II beckoned and Pete answered the call. He served with the Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines from May 4, 1943, until his honorable discharge on August 15, 1945. While active in all 4 war zones he performed his duties as 3rd Assistant Engineer on several ships. These included an oil tanker delivering fuel oil to key locations in the Pacific, and a ship with a triple expansion steam engine which was used to complete a succession of rapid voyages across the Atlantic delivering much needed high octane gas to the US troops and their allies at Cherbourg Harbor in support of the liberation of France. When remembering his wartime Pete would say, "Walsenburg was where I was raised, but I grew up overseas."
Not long after his return home to Walsenburg he met and married Elsa Irene Carrari. They were married 69 years prior to her passing in 2019. Pete and Elsa settled in their beloved hometown of Walsenburg, welcoming and raising their three children. He often said, "Family always came first. My family was my most important obligation." He spent his professional life of 30 years serving his clients in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico as a certified representative for Investors Diversified Services, which in later years would become Ameriprise Financial Services.
When spare time allowed, fly fishing the Colorado mountain streams remained Pete's first love throughout his life. Golf was a close second. He was among a visionary group of golf enthusiasts and charter members who spearheaded the planning and development of the present day Walsenburg Golf Course. Golfing provided him with many hours of enjoyment on the beautiful fairways and greens. Pete took great joy in introducing his family to this wonderful sport.
Pete and his wife, Elsa relocated to Primrose Retirement Community in Pueblo, CO in 2016. The family would like to thank the staff and recognize them for the loving care provided to their parents in their later years. We would also like to convey our gratitude to Abode Hospice. Respect and kindness were hallmarks of Pete's interactions with fellow residents and his caregivers. And he in return was loved by many until the time of his death on September 19, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsa, his parents, Pietro and Anunziata Fini, his brothers, Victor Fini, Ugo John Fini and Donald Fini, and his sister Elivia Fini Repola.
Pete is survived by his three children, Mark Fini (Nina) of Colorado Springs, CO, Roselyn Fini Schuster (Daniel) of Gunnison, CO and Judith Fini Tennant (Joe) of Aurora, CO as well as his four grandchildren, Peter Fini (Liz), Gabrielle Fini, Jennifer Schuster (Wes) and Alyssa Schuster Leinweber (Alex), step-grandchildren Shana Boggs (Chris) and Bryce Tennant (Jenn) and their families, and one great-grandson, Damien Schuster Knight. Additionally, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Pete was a lifelong active member of the Knights of Columbus, joining a year following his high school graduation. He served as Grand Knight, as well as on numerous committees during his tenure. Should you wish to give a donation in his honor, please consider the Walsenburg Knights of Columbus Council. Gifts may be mailed to Knights of Columbus Council #2139, 121 East 7th Street, Walsenburg, CO 81089.
Pete also had the opportunity to participate in the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight in 2014, visiting the Washington DC memorials alongside other veterans. He often expressed gratitude for that memorable experience. Should you wish to give and prefer another option, donations may be mailed to the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, c/o Terry Garner - Treasurer, 912 W 139th Ct., Westminster, CO 80023-9357.
A Memorial Mass will be held on October 14, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church in Walsenburg, CO with interment directly following at St Mary North Cemetery in Walsenburg, CO. Arrangements made by Boies-Ortega Funeral Home.
(12/31/1922 - 9/19/2023)
Peter "Pete" Hugo Fini was born of humble beginnings on December 31, 1922 in Toltec, a coal mining camp near the town of Walsenburg, CO. He was the 4th of 5 children born to Italian immigrant parents, Pietro Fini and Anunziata Lenzini Fini. At age 2 the family relocated to Walsenburg where he attended St Mary's Catholic School, graduating in 1941.
During his childhood and young adult years Pete discovered his love of fly fishing. He fondly recalled summer days spent on the Cuchara River with his dad and friends, his first fishing pole fashioned from a nearby willow branch and string.
As a teenager, Pete played in "The Merry-Makers”, a 16-member accordion band. This All-Southern Colorado group performed extensively, including at the State Fair. A Pueblo Chieftain article from 1938 reported that The Merry-Makers were known for "their proficiency with intricate numbers", as well as "their enviable reputation as masters of melody, and of stirring music of all kinds."
In 1943 World War II beckoned and Pete answered the call. He served with the Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines from May 4, 1943, until his honorable discharge on August 15, 1945. While active in all 4 war zones he performed his duties as 3rd Assistant Engineer on several ships. These included an oil tanker delivering fuel oil to key locations in the Pacific, and a ship with a triple expansion steam engine which was used to complete a succession of rapid voyages across the Atlantic delivering much needed high octane gas to the US troops and their allies at Cherbourg Harbor in support of the liberation of France. When remembering his wartime Pete would say, "Walsenburg was where I was raised, but I grew up overseas."
Not long after his return home to Walsenburg he met and married Elsa Irene Carrari. They were married 69 years prior to her passing in 2019. Pete and Elsa settled in their beloved hometown of Walsenburg, welcoming and raising their three children. He often said, "Family always came first. My family was my most important obligation." He spent his professional life of 30 years serving his clients in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico as a certified representative for Investors Diversified Services, which in later years would become Ameriprise Financial Services.
When spare time allowed, fly fishing the Colorado mountain streams remained Pete's first love throughout his life. Golf was a close second. He was among a visionary group of golf enthusiasts and charter members who spearheaded the planning and development of the present day Walsenburg Golf Course. Golfing provided him with many hours of enjoyment on the beautiful fairways and greens. Pete took great joy in introducing his family to this wonderful sport.
Pete and his wife, Elsa relocated to Primrose Retirement Community in Pueblo, CO in 2016. The family would like to thank the staff and recognize them for the loving care provided to their parents in their later years. We would also like to convey our gratitude to Abode Hospice. Respect and kindness were hallmarks of Pete's interactions with fellow residents and his caregivers. And he in return was loved by many until the time of his death on September 19, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsa, his parents, Pietro and Anunziata Fini, his brothers, Victor Fini, Ugo John Fini and Donald Fini, and his sister Elivia Fini Repola.
Pete is survived by his three children, Mark Fini (Nina) of Colorado Springs, CO, Roselyn Fini Schuster (Daniel) of Gunnison, CO and Judith Fini Tennant (Joe) of Aurora, CO as well as his four grandchildren, Peter Fini (Liz), Gabrielle Fini, Jennifer Schuster (Wes) and Alyssa Schuster Leinweber (Alex), step-grandchildren Shana Boggs (Chris) and Bryce Tennant (Jenn) and their families, and one great-grandson, Damien Schuster Knight. Additionally, he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Pete was a lifelong active member of the Knights of Columbus, joining a year following his high school graduation. He served as Grand Knight, as well as on numerous committees during his tenure. Should you wish to give a donation in his honor, please consider the Walsenburg Knights of Columbus Council. Gifts may be mailed to Knights of Columbus Council #2139, 121 East 7th Street, Walsenburg, CO 81089.
Pete also had the opportunity to participate in the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight in 2014, visiting the Washington DC memorials alongside other veterans. He often expressed gratitude for that memorable experience. Should you wish to give and prefer another option, donations may be mailed to the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, c/o Terry Garner - Treasurer, 912 W 139th Ct., Westminster, CO 80023-9357.
A Memorial Mass will be held on October 14, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church in Walsenburg, CO with interment directly following at St Mary North Cemetery in Walsenburg, CO. Arrangements made by Boies-Ortega Funeral Home.