Peter Michael Czerwonka – 74, of Belmont, NH, and formerly of Reading, MA, passed away peacefully at his home with his wife and daughter at his side on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
He was born in Boston, MA on February 6, 1949. He was the son of the late John F. and Celia (Perron) Czerwonka.
Since 1970, Peter has worked in the trucking industry. Peter was a Diesel Truck Mechanic at Malone’s Trucking, Spear Trucking, AMI Leasing, Penske, and was a Truck Driver at Ross Express, wherein he retired in 2010.
Peter’s love for his family and friends is what made him so special. Peter resided for over 50 years in Reading, MA and grew up spending time at his family cottage on Lake Winnisquam. In 2000 Peter and his loving wife, Barbara, permanently moved to Belmont, NH on Lake Winnisquam where Peter said, “coming home after work was like being on vacation.”
Peter enjoyed his life on the lake and spent time sitting by the campfire, snowmobiling, fishing, and boating on his cherished 1992 Four Winns that he kept in pristine condition. Peter loved cooking on his Wolf stove, grilling in the summer or even during snowstorms, camping in the Kancamangus, and tending to his vegetable garden. Peter was a meticulous and patient man and would find joy spending hours on end watering his grass which was well-maintained and made him proud.
You could always find Peter tinkering in his garage rebuilding motors, tuning up his John Deere lawn mower and working on his antique Aries snowblower (nicknamed “the monster” by his neighbors).
Peter enjoyed spending time with his devoted wife, Barbara and his daughter, Lori, whom he affectionately called darlin’. Peter always looked forward to their father & daughter annual trips to the Nascar Race at Louden Speedway and Bike Weekend at Weirs Beach. He also enjoyed going to antique car shows with his best friend, George Lewis.
Peter always looked forward to going out with his wife and daughter whether it was to drive around on a scooter while shopping, going out to eat, or taking a ride along the Kancamangus Highway to reminisce. As Peter’s health issues progressed, he found comfort enjoying the warmth of the sunshine outside, sanding and refinishing his collection of canes, and coloring.
Some of Peter’s proudest moments over the past couple of years were passing down his vast knowledge to his soulmate Barbara and their daughter as he taught them how to “properly” mow and fertilize the lawn and how use his weed whacker. Peter loved teaching Lori how to change the lawn mower and boat batteries, jump start the truck, boat, and lawn mower, and how to use a drill and air compressor. These teaching moments were Peter’s gift to help Lori and Barbara prepare for when he was not well enough to do these things, and in order for them to be able to.
Peter was a genuinely witty and happy man, and never complained about his medical issues, doctor visits, and repeated stays at the hospital. During his most recent admission at Concord Hospital, prior to Peter’s discharge, he was visited by many Nurses, Doctors and Specialists and received lots of hugs and well wishes from the hospital staff which is a testament of the impression Peter had on people.
Family members include his loving wife Barbara Mary (Sobocinski) Czerwonka; his daughter Lori Ann Czerwonka and her partner Lisa Mazzone of Billerica, MA; sisters, Mary (Czerwonka) Smith and her husband Kenneth of Tewksbury, MA and Cheryl (Czerwonka) Andrews of Northfield, VT; his late brothers Paul and Michael Czerwonka; two grandchildren Alannah and Cody Biancuzzo; also survived by his son Michael John Czerwonka, many nieces, nephews, and fur babies, his dog Bella, and his cats Reese and Petey.
In lieu of flowers, kindly donate to Granite VNA, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, NH 03301.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 17 from 3 to 6 PM at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading.
We would like to give heartful thanks to the Doctors, Nurses, Specialists, and Staff at Concord Hospital, and Granite VNA & Hospice who always took amazing care of Peter during his health journey.
“I will never stop missing you, I will never stop loving you. Therefore, I most certainly will never stop remembering, speaking of, and honoring you. You are more than a memory.”
