Peter J Smargisso

Peter J. “Buddy” Smargisso was born on May 23, 1941 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania to Ann and Peter Smargisso. He was one of four children, Marie (Larry) Innaurato, John Smargisso (deceased), and Nick Smargisso. In 1961, he married his high school sweetheart MaryAnn Gentile and had three beautiful children, Chris (Sheryl) Smargisso, Michelle (Bill) Stroemel, and Maria (Keith) Bryson. He was a graduate of John Bartram High School class of 1959, received his Associates and became an Entrepreneur, owning many family businesses.

Pete was a full time family man who adored his friends and family. Even though he didn’t get the chance to see his siblings all that much, they were always a 2 hour phone call away, numerous times a week, especially when it came to Marie. Always the life of the party, Pete had a way with a crowd whether it be with the ones he knew and loved or complete strangers. He always seemed to find the mic no matter what function he was at. Like Frank Sinatra, Bobby Daren and all the great entertainers, he could light up the room with a simple song but once he started there was no stopping him.

As time went on, his family grew. Pete had eight grandchildren, Christopher Smargisso, Eric (Loren) Irons, PJ (Stephanie) Smargisso, Jessica Irons, Olivia and Shane Stroemel, Nicole and Joey Bryson and had five great grandchildren Hayley and Zachary Smargisso, Arya Hill, Pepper and Ruby Smargisso and another great granddaughter on the way. He loved them all endlessly.

Throughout the years, Pete touched many lives with his stories, songs, and grand gestures of kindness. He always had a way with a crowd that would make your frown turn up-side down. He would grab his audience, whether it be at the dinner table or a big function, starting with a joke and ending with a song. Music was a big part of Pete’s life. The music of the 50s and 60s, reminded him of the good times when things were simple and he shared that joy with his grandchildren. Each of his grandchildren had a special song that they would sing with Pete which created a wonderful bond between them.

Though Peter loved his family, his jokes and his music, there was no love like the love he had for his beautiful bride MaryAnn, a woman who truly does it all. It was love at first jitterbug. MaryAnn and Pete were married for 60 years. Within those 60 years, they went to high school dances together, created a family, went on vacations, spent time with friends, had family barbeques, went to sporting events for their kids and grandkids and unlike a lot of grandparents, got to be around their great grandchildren. MaryAnn was the light of Pete’s life. She was and will forever be his everything and more. Not a day went by when Pete didn’t take the time to compliment MaryAnn and say, “There’s my beautiful bride!” or “Isn’t Mom-Mom so pretty?”

As time with Pete was coming to an end, his family and friends made sure that he felt an abundance of love. Though the last three months were tough, Pete stayed strong and fought till the end. Even through all the pain and all the confusion, he still took the time to dance, sing, eat and show his love and affection to not only his kids and grandchildren but his gorgeous wife. The light from heaven was truly shining down on him those last few nights Pete had on this Earth. He enjoyed going through his yearbooks, grade school papers, and drawings. He especially enjoyed the moments when he was able to play cards, eat at the dinner table and dance with his bride. During those short spurts of time, there was a glimpse of Pete, the guy everyone knew and loved; the entertainer; the family man.

Though Pete’s time is done here with us physically, the memories that were shared with him will last a lifetime. So as we say our goodbyes, remember to cry but only happy tears, laugh about the jokes he would tell, dance to those great songs of the past, sing like you're on the world’s main stage with a mic in your hand, live like nobody’s watching and love with your whole heart.

Relatives, friends and neighbors are invited to gather with the Smargisso family. We'll be sharing heartfelt stores, jitterbugging to the oldies, celebrating and remembering Pete between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm at Creran Celebration 400 White Horse Pike Oaklyn where a funeral ceremony will begin at 12:00 pm. A graveside tribute will immediately follow at Lakeview Memorial Park, Rt. 130 N. Cinnaminson.

Our family supports St. Jude Children’s Hospital to fight childhood cancer. Donations in Pete’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Donations at https://www.stjude.org/give.html.

#crerancelebration #heartfelt