[ back ]
GAROFOLO, PETER JR., 85
GAROFOLO, PETER JR., 85, of South Walden, died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones, on November 26. Mr. Garofolo was born Jan. 4, 1927, in New York City, to Peter Garofolo Sr. and Filomena Leone Garofolo. He was a resident of Copiague, Long Island, N.Y., for more than 50 years. He graduated from John Adams High School, Ozone Park, N.Y., and received both a BS and MA degree from New York University. Mr. Garofolo became a member of the Boy Scouts of America in 1939, becoming an Eagle Scout in 1945. He received the Order of the Arrow and, in highest recognition of distinguished service, the Silver Beaver Award in 1968. Peter served as BSA district commissioner and assistant council commissioner for Pwamas District, Suffolk County, N.Y. He joined the U.S. Army at the close of World War II in 1945. He served at Camp Blanding in Florida and also served in the New York National Guard at Camp Smith. Mr. Garofolo taught industrial arts for 38 years at Island Trees High School, Levittown, N.Y. Upon his retirement in 1984, he expanded his work in stone, fine metals and jewelry establishing Panache Studio with his wife, Emelyn, an established fiber artist. Peter and Emelyn continued work under the Panache Studio name for 22 years. Peter was a longtime member of the Long Island Craft Guild and had served as past co-president of the guild with his wife. Peter and Emelyn both taught at the NY Guild for the Jewish Blind in Manhattan where they first met, and later at Buck's Rock Work Camp in New Milford, Conn. Together they participated in numerous residencies at Haystack School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Penland School of Crafts. Peter taught and participated in numerous workshops through the Long Island Craft Guild. He taught jewelry and metalsmithing classes at Garvies Point Museum, Glen Cove, N.Y., for over 15 years until 2008 when he moved to Vermont. He is survived by his daughter Pia Loeper, of Orinda, Calif., her husband, Gerald, and their daughter; his daughter Lian Brehm-Lavelle, of South Walden, and her husband, Douglas; his sister Mary Ellen Bourne, of Coram, N.Y., and her husband, Fred; his sister-in-law, Barbara Garofolo, of Copiague, N.Y.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Emelyn (Brehm) Garofolo, and his brother, Louis Garofolo. A memorial gathering will be held at Peter's apartment and studio in South Walden on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, from 1pm to 6pm. All friends are welcome.
[ back ]
