Peter Jon Fox, 69, resident of McKean, PA and Tavares, FL, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Florida Waterman Hospital, Tavares, FL surrounded by his four daughters. Born in Bradford, PA on May 29, 1940, he was the son of the late Harry W. and Catherine (Corwin) Fox. On May 25, 1963, he married the former Jane Marie Wilklow.
Peter attended high school at Bradford, PA and Little Valley, NY graduating from there in 1959. Following his graduation, he entered the US Army and served until 1961. During his service time in Germany, he witnessed the Berlin Wall being built. Peter was a longtime employee of the Kendall Refining Company in Bradford, PA. In 1978, he began as a Kendall Oil Distributor, co-founding this business with his wife and serving as CEO of the Fox Oil Company in Erie, PA. He expanded later in establishing the Squire Fox Oil Company in Hamburg, NY, retiring in 2003. Throughout the years and even after retirement, Peter was actively engaged in construction using his skills as a carpenter, woodworker, plumber, and electrician. He took on projects such as home construction, furniture building, and small projects using his energy and know-how to help many friends and acquaintances. He was known as a person to fix things and as a problem solver. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and St. Francis Usher’s Club, in McKean. Peter was a supportive and loving father and enjoyed taking care of his family.
Surviving Peter is his loving companion of the past four years – Karen O’Neil; four daughters – Patricia Ferrick and her husband, William of McKean; Kathleen Pinkerton and her husband, Mark of Houston, TX; Kimberly Pekarcik of Murrysville, PA; and Jennifer Farley and her husband, Jeffery of McKean. In addition 11 grandchildren survive – A.J, Sara, and Nathan Ferrick; Luke and Jane Pinkerton; Gracie, Matthew, and Benjamin Pekarcik; Chendell, Brett, and Morgan Farley. He was preceded in death by his precious wife of 39 years, Jane, his brother Harry C. Fox, and a son-in-law Matthew Pekarcik.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro, PA on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9. Prayer services will be held there on Monday morning at 10:15 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in McKean. Reverend Mark Nowak, pastor of the Church will be celebrant. Interment will be at St. Francis Cemetery, McKean. Memorials may be made to the McKean Hose Company (Volunteer Fire Dept.), P.O. Box 241, McKean, PA 16426 or the Shadyside Family House (for families of Transplant Patients), Atten: Kay Bebenek, 5245 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15253.
Peter was by close friend growing up in Derrick City, PA.
God rest his soul.
One time Pete and I got 100 chicks and we were going to produce eggs and make some money.
Turns out the chicks were all males and no eggs.
Pete’s dad Harry got frustrated with us and sold the chickens for market.
We had some good times together and last time I saw him was when he lived in Little Valley, NY.
Good Memories
My heartfelt thoughts are with you and your families. I will miss your
father coming out to get the mail, especially the cute little jokes he
would tell. He was always there for a good laugh.
God be with you and your families.
With sympathy,
Thelma Vamos{Mail Person}
To Peter’s Family:
We sincerely enjoyed taking care of your Dad and are truly sorry for your loss. We were always happy to see him and his can of Mountain Dew come in the door!
With Sympathy,
Dr. Heaney and Staff
I would like to express my sincere sympathy to you all in the death of your father and my godfather. Pete will always have a place in my heart and the memories of our family picnics, weddings and christmas’s that we all shared together so long ago.
Pete will now be reunited again with your mom, Jane. They both were wonderful godparents and will never be forgotten. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time.
God Bless everyone.
Laura Lander
Patty, Kathy, Kim and Jen,
You may not remember us … but we will always remember growing up with you in the
little town of Rew. We have great memories of your mom and dad and were so sorry to hear about your dad. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Patty, Kathy, Kim, and Jen,
Our heartfelt thoughts and feeling of sorrow are with you and your families.
Although living in FL for so many years kept us from family gatherings, we feel very privileged to have been part of the family circle that included your Dad and your Mom, two very special people.
We are with you in prayer,
Fred & Sheila Clause
We have never met – but I want to express my sincere sympathy to you all in the death of your father. My Mom, Hortense Ann Starkweather – later Ann Cloud – was the babysitter Harry and Kay Fox hired for their two little boys – H. C. and Pete. Mom told us many stories of your dad and uncle when we were kids. The best one is probably one you never heard – perhaps your dad was too young to remember. Anyway, one Sunday morning, Harry and Kay slept in – but the boys didn’t. When they finally got up, your grandparents discovered that the boys had been very busy. They had recently carpeted the living room in a dark blue Axminster carpet. The boys found a can of white oil-based paint and poured it all over the living room – couch and new carpet included. Then they walked through it with little bare feet and sprinkled corn flakes all over it. Your Grandparents called my Mom and were crying and laughing at the same time. You can bet they never let the boys get up alone again. Harry got a big tub full of gasoline to soak the new carpet in. Mom never said what happened to the couch.
God Bless you all and may He bring you comfort and great memories.
Janet McDevitt Clark
To my cousins,
So sorry to hear of the death of your father. Wish I could be there with you but we are still in the Villages, Florida.
I have precious memories of your Dad and Mom on labor day in Rushford, before they were married. And your Dad gave me my first boat ride on Rushford Lake. He was a fun guy to be around. He so much loved his girls and his grandchildren.
You come from a long line of strong women and I know you will be there for each other.
God Bless,
Marti Burr McElheny
Kathy,
I was so sorry to hear about your Dad and just wanted you to know I was thinking about you and your family. I pray that God will give you all peace and help you find much comfort in your precious memories.
Sincerely,
Diane