Claude J. (“Pete”) Terreri, Jr., 78, of Guilford, died at Yale-New Haven Hospital on Jan. 30, after a period of declining health. He was the husband of 55 years to Abby Ruth (Linehan) Terreri. Mr. Terreri was born on April 28, 1933 in Morristown, New Jersey, son of the late Claude J. and Dorothy (Peterson) Terreri.  He graduated from Morristown High School, served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, and graduated from Seaton Hall University in 1959.  He had a long career in domestic and international sales, traveling extensively throughout the United States and Far East for General Dynamics and U.S Motors, respectively.

Mr. Terreri was the founder of PAT Incorporated and in semi-retirement was the owner of The Liquor Stop in Killingworth.  He was also past commander of American Legion Post No. 48 and a member of the Knights of Columbus in Guilford.
 
Among the many accomplishments, both professional and personal, that brought Mr. Terreri joy, was his love of Country and the devotion and accomplishments of his wife, children, and grandchildren.  He took great pride in his ability to fix almost anything mechanical and loved to work with his hands.  In addition, he had many interests over the course of his lifetime, which included music, hunting, fishing, boxing, and coin collecting. He was also an avid movie buff.

Besides his wife, he is survived by five children, Steven J. Terreri, his spouse Maureen, and their children, Adam, Aimee, Eric, and Andrew, of Guilford; Ellen Terreri and her children, Amanda and Chad Tower, of Clinton; Ruthanna Terreri and her son Jack Terreri-Fuchs of Madison; Michael Terreri and his children, Abby Ruth, Michael II, and Austin, of Old Saybrook; and Mark Hedge-Terreri, his spouse Brian, and their children, Lucas and Sadie, of Old Saybrook.  He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Sandstrom of Sucasuna, New Jersey, as well as his many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews of New Jersey and New York. He was predeceased by his sister, Susan Muller (Terreri), formerly of Morristown, New Jersey, and his brother, Richard Terreri, formerly of Morristown, New Jersey.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield St., Guilford, on Friday, Feb. 3, at 9:30 a.m., followed by burial in St. George Cemetery, Hubbard Rd., Guilford.  Friends may call on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his name be made to American Legion Post No. 48, PO Box 1453, Guilford, CT 06437-0553, for the continued financial support of educational scholarships for the youth of his community; or to Hope Water Foundation, Highland Terrace, Studio 813, Madison, CT 06443 (www.worldskindestwater.org).  For more information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.