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Alfred 'Al' La Peter Winter Park, FL QCWA # 23304 Chapter(s) 45 & 62 |
Obituary:
Alfred "Al" LaPeter Jr., 93, of Winter Park, Florida, died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, at home under the watch of his loving family. Al was born Sept. 28, 1927, in the Bronx, New York, to Alfred LaPeter Sr. and Sylvia (Dragonetti) LaPeter. He spent most of his youth in New York City, except for a short stint in Panama City, Panama, while his father worked there. At 17, Al joined the Navy, and retired as a lieutenant after 28 years. He served during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In 1962, he was on the aircraft carrier the USS Wasp off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Al started roller skating in his teens and continued his love for it for the remainder of his life. He met his wife Pam while skating. They were married in 1982. He was an amateur radio operator (ham) for more than 50 years and a life member of Chapter 45 of the Quarter Century Wireless Association.
Many of his friends were made through ham radio. Al volunteered every year at the ARRL Field Day. He was vigilant about checking in with the "net" every night. To honor his former father-in-law after he died, Al took his call sign, W2AS. Al enjoyed going to the pool; loved eating out, where he always was on a first-name basis with his favorite waiter or waitress; and especially loved the yearly cruises he took with Pam. After retiring from the Navy, Al received a bachelor's and master's degree in business from Rollins College. After his military service he began a second career in real estate, and ending up teaching real estate courses into his 80s. Al was predeceased by his wife Pam, and his daughters Marjorie and Michelle. He is survived by his son Brian; daughters Cherie Kennedy and Gina Kennedy; step-daughter Rene Lenaeus; grandchildren Lauren LaPeter, Coral Lenaeus, Brandon O'Neill, and Ryan O'Neill; and half-brothers Jimmy and Al LaPeter.
Visitation for friends is at noon Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021, at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, 7520 Aloma Ave., Winter Park. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
QCWA Bio:
President, Chapter 45,QCWA; Board Member Lake Monroe Amateur Radio Society; Member, Seminole County AREC; Member Orlando Amateur Radio Club; ARRL Volunteer Examiner; Member ARRL
