Peter Holtje, 82, of Wellesley, died peacefully and in the presence of his daughters and son-in-law on November 1. He was born in Bay Shore, New York and attended Bay Shore schools. He graduated from Bay Shore High School in 1954, and was a 3rd generation firefighter with Bay Shore Fire Department while studying languages at Latin American Institute in New York City. He joined the US Navy, and served with the Atlantic Fleet aboard the destroyer USS Perry. Upon his discharge, Peter entered (then) Babson Institute. It was during his colllege years that he met and married Marcelline (Marcie) Govoni of Wellesley. He received his BS/BA from Babson in 1961, and his MBA from Babson in 1962. In the next decade Peter worked as a financial analyst and controller with American Science and Engineering, Raytheon, and Digital. After leaving corporate life for small business, he embarked on ventures that reflected his great variety of interests. He also worked for a time with Medugorje Messengers in Framingham, and with his wife made several pilgrimages to Medugorje. Peter had also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and during the 70’s he accompanied his son Steven’s Hardy School Boy Scout troop on many trips, including the famed Canadian Canoe Trails trip.
Peter was predeceased by his parents Willard E. and Helen M. (Griffin) Holtje, his wife, son Steven and sister AnnMarie Webb. He leaves his brother David Holtje of Florida; daughter Margaret of Brattleboro Vermont and North Bridgton Maine; daughter Lili Woodman and her husband Kenneth of Framingham; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be said at St Paul’s Church 502 Washington St. Wellesley on Saturday, November 10th at 10am. Relatives and friends Kindly invited. Private interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peter's memory to the Disabled American Veterans, dav.org.