Peter D. Hoban, Esq of Medford, MA, passed away suddenly on May 11, 2021, at age 73. Inspired by his father, Allan F. Hoban, a WWII Army Air Corps and MA State Police veteran, Peter volunteered to serve in Vietnam during his freshman year at Boston University. He selected the Marine Corps as he was proud of the service and ethos- “never leave a soldier behind”. In his turn, Peter, as a young, injured veteran returning from Vietnam, made sure never to leave them or their memory behind. He reached out to console the mothers of his Marine Corps brothers lost in Vietnam, and those who suffered from their experiences, to let them know he would not forget. He posted memorials in a local paper each year, and the gesture caught the attention of Boston Globe columnist Jeremiah V. Murphy, who featured Peter in a Boston Globe article “Ex-marine can’t forget that day in Vietnam” ( Boston Globe, Jan 1974) and Mike Barnicle.
Peter was awarded several honors and medals for his service in Vietnam, including two Purple Hearts. After months recovering from serious injuries, he returned to his studies and received his undergraduate and a law degree from Boston University. His experience in Vietnam was always with him, as well as the shrapnel that remained in his body for life. Peter was a warrior, a local hero, working as an attorney, always on call to help his fellow veterans, pro-bono, and always as a trusting friend, offering a place to stay, recover and laugh. Peter was an attorney in Middlesex County (Somerville and Medford). He prioritized working out and was a dedicated regular at the Somerville YMCA, where he also served as a Trustee. He was an avid reader and had a passion for history, encouraging everyone to be a ‘student of history’ to learn its lessons and insights about human nature.
Peter’s life was blessed with family. Predeceased by his first wife, Janet Albanese Hoban (who died from breast cancer), he was a devoted and loving father to his children; Barrett Hoban (also a lawyer, inspired by his father) and Jenna Hoban (a teacher). He is survived by his wife Concetta Vaudo, who expanded Peter’s love of life, from traveling to Italy together to her bountiful creations of the best Italian food, and was a father to her sons, Paul Viliott and John Viliott. He was the loving grandfather of Tyler, Colin, Peter, Wyatt and Zoe Hoban, and Dario and Lia Viliott. Peter and Concetta would entertain in their “villa” in Medford, a moveable feast for friends and family in every season. He was a force of good in this world and stood for principles of justice, fairness and honor. Peter celebrated life and believed that every day that he got to grace this earth since he left the battlefield was a gift – one that he shared with everyone.
Peter is survived by his beloved mother, Frances C. Hoban (who laughed with Peter for hours on their weekly phone conversations), his siblings, Alan P. Hoban (Duxbury, MA), Carolyn Hoban (Milton, MA), Janet Hegarty (Navan, Ireland) and Julie Morrison (Needham, MA) and his numerous nieces and nephews. They will all miss him immensely. Service is on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, from 9 through 11 AM, followed by mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, at 11:30AM, and burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. Close friends and family are welcome. Instead of flowers, please donate to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust (www.cst.dav.org) in memory of Peter D. Hoban.