In Memory of

Peter

Robert

D'Errico

Obituary for Peter Robert D'Errico

Peter R. D’Errico, 87, husband of Catherine, father of John, Michael, and Lissa, grandfather of Catherine and Lucas Chavaree, passed away at his home on July 11, 2018, in Bangor after a long, successful, and eventful life. He was born February 21, 1931, the son of John and Dina (Colucci) D’Errico. Peter was born and grew up in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York. He attended Midwood High School, where he excelled academically and at football. He continued his football career at New York University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology. He completed graduate work at NYU, School of Arts and Sciences from 1953 to 1955 and was employed by the Cerro Corporation of New York City as a geologist. Peter was a member of the United States Air Force and the Maine Air National Guard for 26 years. He earned an ROTC commission as a second lieutenant in 1955 and entered USAF navigator training at Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, Texas, where son John Brig Gen (Ret) was born. Upon completion of training, he was then assigned to Dow Air Force in Bangor, Maine as a KC-97 tanker navigator for the Strategic Air Command where he served on active duty for 4 years. He then joined the Maine Air National Guard, where he flew as an F-89J Scorpion Radar Observer, an F-101B Voodoo Weapons Systems Officer and KC-135 Stratotanker navigator. In 1960 he was appointed Economic Development Director for the city of Bangor. He played a vital role in developing the Dow Air Force Base Re-use Plan, which was instrumental in the conversion of the base to a civilian commercial-use airport. During his career, Mr. D’Errico oversaw countless significant infrastructure improvements which included the construction of both the international and domestic terminals still in use today. In 1969, he accepted a position with Eastern Fine Paper Corporation and was elected to the Bangor City Council. In 1970 Peter was appointed manager of the Bangor International Airport, where he served for 20 years. He was a strong advocate for BIA and was well known and highly respected within the aviation industry at the local, state, and national levels of government. He fostered an outstanding partnership with the Maine Air National Guard 101st Air Refueling Wing which continues to this day. In 1990 he was selected Director of the Victor Valley Economic Development Authority in Victorville, California where he coordinated the reuse of the former George Air Force Base as a commercial airport, just as he had done in Bangor. In 1995 he returned to Bangor where he served as Special Assistant to the new BIA manager and continued to serve on the Bangor City Council. Peter’s many civilian awards included Bangor Jaycees Distinguished Service Award (1967), Maine Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award (1967), Chamber of Commerce Paul Bunyan Award (1969), and Rotarian of the Year in Victorville, CA (1995). His numerous military decorations included the Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Combat Crew Readiness Medal. He also received the Tourism Eagle Award for Lifetime Achievement. In addition to his children, he is survived by a brother Roger D’Errico and wife Fran of Winterport; nephews Scott D’Errico, Ken D’Errico and wife Jill and daughter Jenna, Brian D’Errico; nieces Tracey and Michele; sisters-in-law Joanna Lesser and Carole Castagnoli of New York. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his beloved wife Catherine in 1996; a brother, John; and a daughter-in-law Dawn. A celebration of life gathering will be private for the family. Entombment with rite of committal and military honors will be held at 2 PM, Monday, July 16, 2018 in the Garden Mausoleum, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor Relatives and friends are invited to meet at 1:30 – 1:45 PM, Monday, at the Superintendents Lodge, 1048 State Street Entrance, Bangor. Gifts in his memory may be made to MAINEiacs Charities, P.O. Box 2764, Bangor, ME 04402-2764. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.

Affiliations


Air Force

National Defense Service Medal

Rotary Club