Pete Pereira's Obituary
Life and Times of Pete Pereira Pete Pereira: May 18, 1925 ' February 14, 2013: Pete Pereira passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family in his Pacifica home of 58 years. He is survived by his wife Elsie of 64 years, daughter's Diana Ward (David) of Pacifica, CA, Nancy Petersen (Marty) of Hughson, CA, Susan Neil (Mike) Fremont, CA; 9 grandchildren, Ken Ward, Matt Ward (Stephanie), Janine Jelich (Craig), Chris, Daniel, Greg and Joey Petersen, Jenna Walter (Kevin) and Nick Neil, 7 great-grandchildren; Camryn, Taylor, Hunter Ward; Hailey and Amanda Ward; Danielle and Ryan Jelich, 25 nieces/nephews, 4 sisters in law, 1 brother in law and countless great nieces and nephews. Pete was born in Crows Landing to John and Mary Pereira, Portuguese immigrants of the Madeira Islands, the second youngest of nine children. He was raised on a small dairy farm and graduated from Ceres High and joined the Navy in 1943. He worked on the arresting crew of the CV-117 USS Saidor. There he was able to see a lot of the world including Washington, Panama and Hawaii. In 1946, he returned home to the family dairy ranch where he worked long hard hours on a bean harvester and helped on the dairy. Pete was not afraid of hard work. In 1949, while attending a community dance, he met and fell in love with his lovely wife whom he married and spent the rest of his life with. Upon moving to the Bay Area in 1950, Pete began working as a mechanic for Port Chicago and then Greyhound buses, where he worked until joining the Trost Brothers in the house moving business in 1959. In 1964, Pete started the company Coast House Movers where he made a name for himself throughout San Francisco, Pacifica and the Bay Area. He is most known for his move of historical Victorian homes in San Francisco. He has also moved many Pacifica residences as well as developed the Reina Del Mar Highway, more commonly known as the Vallemar Station. He then went on to develop and build custom homes throughout Pacifica and San Francisco. Pete left his mark on Pacifica and is well known for voicing his opinion on issues dear to his heart and his generous nature. He could often be found enjoying a meal at the Vallemar Station, whether it be for a quick lunch or a large family gathering, where he would proudly announce 'I started all this' as he toasted to his family with his decaf coffee. When he wasn't working, he enjoyed square dancing on a weekly basis (for over 53 years) which continued until this past December. He was an avid water skier who enjoyed spending his summer weekends at Lake Don Pedro. He shared his passion of the sport through teaching all generations to water ski. He built his first houseboat in 1964 and visited the lake often in the summer with the company of his family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and 9 siblings (David, Mary, Joe, Dave, Ben, Dick, Manuel, George and Elvira). He will forever be missed but never forgotten.Services will be held at Skylawn Memorial Chapel Viewing – February 19th 3-7pm Viewing ' February 20th 11-Noon Service ' February 20th Noon Memorial reception following the Funeral Service at Crystal Springs Golf Course
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