Peter Anthony Von Villas Jr., husband of Jackie McCutcheon Von Villas, passed away at age 77 in Terrell, Texas, on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, after a long battle with leukemia.
Born on June 11, 1938, in Newport, RI, Peter was the eldest child of the late Peter and Mary (Carr) Von Villas of Portsmouth.
He is survived by his five siblings: Michael C. Von Villas (Regina) of Tiverton, RI, Jacquelyn V. Marchant (the late Raymond), also of Tiverton, Gregory A. Von Villas (Lynne) of Lewisville, Texas, Fay A. Gosling (Ed) of Portsmouth and Muriel V. Roberts (Ed) of Falls Church, VA.
He is also survived by four children: Michael A. Von Villas of Portsmouth, RI, Tracy A. Griffith (Rodney) of Middletown, RI, Stephanie A. O’Loughlin (John) of Portsmouth, Nicholas A. Von Villas, also of Middletown, and a step-daughter, Susie Mason Kelly (Troy) of Terrell, Texas, seven grandchildren: Julie, Christopher, Emily, Ashley, Kaitlyn, Ryan and Sean, and four great-grandchildren: Averey, Briar, Caisley and Adelyn.
Following graduation from Rogers High School, Peter served two years in the United States Marine Corps, after which he worked as many as 3 jobs at a time to support his growing family, while he took college courses at night. In 1974, he earned his B.A. in Education from the University of Rhode Island and began a long career as a physical education and health teacher at what was then Thompson Junior High School in Newport, from which he retired in July 2000. He also served as coach of the Islanders Girls’ Class-A softball team, leading them to multiple championships.
Peter had a voracious appetite for reading westerns and military type novels. He also enjoyed woodworking, collecting guns, fishing, and travel, especially on his motorcycle.
After his retirement, he moved to Texas, became a Texan, remarried, and settled permanently under what he referred to as, “the biggest sky anywhere.”
Burial will take place in St. Mary’s cemetery, Portsmouth, at a date to be determined.
Peter can be remembered through donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 2348 Post Road, Suite #202, Warwick, RI 02886.
