IN MEMORIAM: Peter Provenzano, 69;
Active Life Peaked With Tin Woodzman
WORCESTER – Peter J Provenzano III, 69, of Worcester, whose life of creativity peaked in The Tin Woodzman, passed peacefully on March 23, 2020, at home with his wife Deb at his side. His valiant battle with pancreatic cancer was not his to win.
Peter was born in Rockville Center to Peter J Provenzano Jr. and Phyllis (Gunther) Provenzano. He spent his childhood in Hempstead, and graduated from Hempstead High School. After a brief time at Nassau County Community College, he decided to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps as a concrete finisher. The family moved to Poughkeepsie in 1968, and Peter went to work for James Provenzano Construction Co., Inc, the firm his grandfather created in the 1950s. He was a member of Laborers Local 35.
He met Deb Dyson in 1977 and they were married in Wappingers Falls in 1980. They moved to Worcester in 1981.
He later worked for Mexcon Inc. until his retirement in 2015. He also created Detecto-Tile Inc., a supplier of ADA-approved detectable warning units for the visually impaired. He was given a patent for this invention.
Upon his retirement, he became The Tin Woodzman, creating woodworking art ranging from hand-turned pens to large live edge tables. He was a proud member of The Artisans Guild of Oneonta, where he displayed and sold his art.
He was predeceased by both parents. He is survived by his wife, Deb; three children, son, Peter J. IV and partner, Kayce Huntington of Westford, daughter Alexis and partner Shawn Morris of Worcester, and daughter, Jaimie and partner Ryan Fulford of Oneonta; sister, Diane Beem and husband, Joe; 10 grandkids, Mariah, James, Kenna, Kaiden, Shilah, Russell (RJ), Molly, Gray, Tallulah (Lulu), and Toan, as well as nieces, nephews, & cousins. He is also survived by his extended family: Bill Feiler, Roman Pernal, Greg Lange, and Laura Hagzan.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, a public memorial service will be postponed, details will be posted on the family’s Facebook.
As per Peter’s wishes, please make donations to either St. Jude’s, your local fire department, or your local animal shelter.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at, www.hellerskinnerfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted with Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main St., Worcester, NY
My name is Peter John Sluka, and Peter J.Provenzano 111, is my
cousin.I grew up in Hewlett,Long Island,New York,and all our
family were working in the James Provenzano Construction
Company.Peter and Diane were very young and I am so proud
to see the great accomplishments Peter made.I can identify his
artistic ways since I got my bachelors degree at the University
Puget Sound and eventually retired from teaching after 30 years.I am proud to say that Peter Provenzano,SR.,Peter
Provenzano,JR.,and my Dad,Geza Sluka were family and we
all have geat memories of them…as Peter J 111, and Diane
also have .Since they were so young, they probably
do not remember me but I guarantee that they will remember
that everyone in the family called me Peter John.I am 81 years
old and and I am the founder of the PT.Defiance Park Watch
Volunteer Program.(40 members).I would love to hear from
family members and yes,it was so very sad to see that Peter 111
passed away.What a wonderful and talented person he was.
Peter John Sluka