Obituary of Peter S. Szeli

Peter S. Szeli of Newburgh NY, past owner of Pete’s Auto Body and retired IronWorker passed away on Sunday September 17, 2023 at The NYS Veterans Home at Montrose, NY. Pete was 96. The son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Szeli, he was born on September 16, 1927 in Roseton. NY He was a member of IronWorkers Locals 40, 361, and 417 Union for many years and a member of Meadow Hill Reformed Church, and a veteran of the Army Air Corp during WWII. Uncle Pete, affectionately known as "Pete The Comb" by his IronWorker buddies, was a special individual. He always had a kind word, would help anyone, loved animals, and most of all loved his family, especially his wife Mary. Uncle was predeceased by his wife Mary Pirger Szeli, his father Joseph, his mother Elizabeth, his brothers Joe, Art and Gaza, his sisters Irene, Charlotte and Ethel, several nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews. He liked playing pinochle, poker, bingo, lotto, watching baseball, a martini or highball during dinner and his steaks grilled 3 minutes on each side. He was proud of his service to the country during WWII and enjoyed his years as an IronWorker, he also worked for a time at the Jova Brick Works in Roseton NY. He completed the Automobile Repair Program at the Utilities Engineering Institute at Chicago Illinois in December 1952 after which he opened Pete's Auto Body in Newburgh NY. Uncle had a deep faith in God, read his Bible, and attended church anytime he could. He was quick with his jokes and snappy one liners of which there are too many to list. I can only hope to cross paths with him again as we all will miss him as we all enjoyed our time with him. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Thursday September 21, at Hudson Valley Funeral Home, Inc. 239 Quassaick Avenue (Rt94) New Windsor, NY Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Friday September 22, 2023 at Meadow Hill Reformed Church 211 Fletcher Dr. North Newburgh, NY. Entombment will follow in Cedar Hill Mausoleum, Newburgh, NY In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Meadow Hill Reformed Church 211 Fletcher Dr. North Newburgh, NY.