Gasper Sr., Peter R.

Peter P. Gasper Sr., 83, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2013, at St. Luke's Hospice, just one day shy of his 84th birthday. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Burial will follow in Czech National Cemetery, where full military rites will be conducted.

Following the burial a luncheon will be served in The Avacentre at Brosh Chapel. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at Brosh Chapel, where there will be a 7 p.m. Knights of Columbus rosary.

Peter was born June 7, 1929, in Jessup, Pa., the son of Andrew and Anna (Podrasky) Gasper. Peter honorably served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. Peter met his future wife, Jacqueline Prasil, in 1953, while playing baseball for the Cedar Rapids Indians. They were married Sept. 1, 1956, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Peter worked for over 30 years for Northwestern Bell, retiring in 1985.

He was a life member of the Communications Workers of America and Telephone Pioneers. He was a life member of the 4th degree Bowen General Assembly and Knights of Columbus Council 909, where he served as Grand Knight in 1975. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, AMVETS Post 6 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2272. He was a 64-year life member of the American Legion, where he served as the first vice commander in 1963 for the former Hanford Post 5. He was currently a member of Post 729 as well as the 40 and 8. Peter enjoyed bowling, golfing, baseball, mushroom hunting, reading and spending time with his family.

Peter is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, of 56 years; his three children, Peter (Renee) Gasper Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Theresa Gasper (Jeffrey

Jenewein) of Cedar Rapids and William Gasper (Beth Ahearn) of Sutliff; four grandchildren, Mitchell, Jeffrey, Emily and Lindsey; three great-grandchildren, Lailah, Christian and Isabelle; brothers, Clement Gasper of Moosic, Pa., and Joseph (Mary) Gasper of Jessup, Pa.; three sisters, Justina Rys of Woodland Park, N.J., Catherine Glowacki of East Rutherford, N.J., and Anna Dupay of Blakely, Pa.; three sisters-in-law, Lucy Gasper of Olyphant, Pa., Patricia Gasper of Jessup, Pa., and Mary Lowe of Marion; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Anna; brothers, Andrew, George, Martin, John, Michael, Thomas and twin brother, Paul; his sisters, Mary (Michael) Gasper-Kukol and Agnes (William) Gasper-Carnogursky; brothers-in-law, Frank Rys, Matthew Glowacki, Paul Dupay and George “Bud” Lowe; and his sisters-in-law, Betty, Mary, Helen, Mary and Stella Gasper.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either the Multiple Sclerosis Society or American Heart Association in Peter's name.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.

Published June 9, 2013 in The Gazette