Peter Thomas Fensel, age 72, of Waterford, PA died peacefully at home on Saturday, October 1, 2011. He was born in Bradford, PA on November 23, 1938, a son of the late Anton and Helen Thomas Fensel.

Fensel, Peter ThomasAfter graduating from St. Bernard School in Bradford, Peter joined the U.S. Army and served three active years in France as a Radio Intercept Analyst and was honorably discharged. Peter then worked for the brokerage firm Goodbody & Co. in New York City as a margin clerk and margin supervisor for 5 years. When Peter?????s father Anton became ill Peter moved back to Bradford to assist in that branch office of Goodbody & Co. where his father was manager. When that office closed Peter moved to Waterford and became certified as branch operations manager at E. F. Hutton & Co. After E. F. Hutton closed the Erie office, Peter became director of financial operations for Erie Maritime Programs, Inc. which sponsored and organized Tall Ships Erie in 1993 and 1994. Peter subsequently acquired Orange Printing, which he owned and operated until his death.

Peter also lived in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands for two years from 2006 to 2008. He was employed at the Paragon Medical Building.

Peter was an active member of the Ft. LeBoeuf American Legion Post 285, serving as Board Member and Honor Guard participant. His other activities included Hunter Safety Instructor, League Billiards, fishing and kite flying.

Peter was preceded in death by brothers Sean and Stephen Fensel.

Peter is survived by his wife, Rosemarie Szewczyk Fensel of Waterford; a daughter, Lauren Smiley and her husband Brandon of Bountiful, Utah, parents of grandchildren, Elizabeth & Alexander; a son, Peter of San Diego, California; former wife and mother to his children Rebecca Allen Fensel Smith of Bountiful, Utah; brother Anton, Jr. and his wife Mary of McKean, PA; brother Charles of Fairview, PA; sisters-in-law Mary Ann Gagliardo (Sean) Fensel of Orchard Park, NY and Mary McVay (Stephen) Fensel of Clinton, PA; and various nieces and a nephew and several cousins on both his mother?????s and father?????s sides.

There will be no visitation. Friends are invited to join the family at a gathering at the American Legion, Post 285, in Waterford, PA, on October 22, 2011 from 2 PM to 4 PM to memorialize Peter?????s passing.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Metropolitan Erie, 202 E. 10th St., Erie, PA 16503. A special thank you goes to hospice caregivers Shirley and Jamie.