MASSENA – Mr. Peter J. Tennis, 93, of Ober Street, passed away Saturday afternoon, April 1, 2017 at Massena Memorial Hospital.

Pete was born August 30, 1923 in Poughkeepsie, New York, the son of the late Peter and Laura Phillips Tennis. He graduated from Arlington High School and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. On November 1, 1943, he entered the US Army Air Force, proudly serving his country until his honorable discharge on August 24, 1945. On December 18, 1950, he was drafted back into service, serving until his honorable discharge on August 30, 1952.

Pete worked for Reynolds Metals for many years, retiring as a Mechanical Engineer. He was also a skilled pilot and owned his own plane, where he and his late wife, Marge, traveled around the country many times. Pete had a great passion for golfing and would be found regularly at the Massena Country Club, where he was a longtime member. Pete dedicated many years of his time to the Massena community as a volunteer driver of Massena Meals on Wheels, delivering until he was 92. Pete was also an Honorary Life member of the Massena Lions Club, a longtime communicant of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and formerly a communicant of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church before its closure. A lifelong fan of the New York Giants and Mets, he enjoyed watching games on television as well as other sporting games. He truly cherished the time he spent and the friends he visited with at the Via Main Restaurant.

Pete is survived by his children, Patricia and Angelo Derrigo of Clayton and Roger and Janet Tennis of Tempe, Arizona; his grandchildren, Michelle Tennis, Margaret and Nathan Rodriquez, and Mark Tennis; his nieces and nephews, Kelly (Jim) Tremper, Laura (Jan) deGraaf, Dick (MaryAnn) Vosburgh, Bob (Sylvia) Vosburgh, Sue (Jim) Pelish, and Allyn (Connie) Szejko; and their families.

In addition to his parents, Pete was predeceased by his wife, Margaret “Marge” (Christoph) Tennis on March 28, 2006; his half sisters, Laura Depue and Ruth Vosburgh; and his half brothers, Jack and Fred Caulkins.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Pete’s life will be celebrated 2:00PM, Saturday, April 8, 2017 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 139 Main Street, Massena with Mother Kathryn Boswell, celebrating. Entombment will follow in the Columbarium at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Massena Meals on Wheels, St. John’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, Massena Lions Club or the Massena Country Club.