GLOUCESTER: Peter “Butch” Asaro, Jr., 92, died Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the Golden Living Center. He was the husband of Jean A. (Sonia) Asaro, who died in February of 1994.
Born in Gloucester on July 12, 1920, he was the son of the late Peter and Catherine (Ciaramitaro) Asaro. He was a lifelong resident of Gloucester and had attended St. Ann’s School.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he served aboard a minesweeper, where he saw firsthand the results of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He served during the Battle of Iwo Jima and his ship was tied to the stern of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay during the surrender of the Japanese.
A commercial fisherman, Butch had fished aboard numerous vessels including the f/v Hazel B, Tina Marie and Christian D. While aboard the Christian D in January of 1983, he saved the life of his crewmate Curt Dagley. For his quick and unselfish action, he received The Medal of Valor from the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post No. 3, American Legion. He had also worked his own lobster boat, the Lil Peter, up until the age of 80.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Peter A. and Deborah (Chernin) Asaro, a sister, Mary, wife of the late Jerry Palazola; three brothers, Samuel, husband of Louisa Asaro, Vito, husband of Rosemarie Asaro and Daniel, husband of Cynthia Asaro; a sister-in-law, Ursula, wife of the late Dal Mitchell; brother-in-law, Anthony Testaverde; and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his son, Steven P. “Stubby” Asaro; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Rose Testaverde, Marion and Joseph Curcuru and Robert and his wife, Eleanor Sonia.
His funeral service will be held on Saturday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery.