Peter A. Tunille, age 86, of Mahanoy City, passed away June 29, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. Born at the former Ashland Hospital NOV 21, 1933 he was the son of the late Peter and Helen B. (Anthonavich) Tunille. Educated in Mahanoy City schools he was a 1951 graduate of Mahanoy City High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy after graduation and became a "Tin Can Sailor" serving aboard the destroyer USS Goodrich DDR 831 as a gunners mate 3rd class during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy, he became a firefighter with the Washington DC Fire Department. While serving in the department he served in the crash crew for the presidential helicopter at the White House for Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford. He also served on the security detail when they appeared in public in Washington DC. Also while in the fire department he was the recipient of the bronze medal for rescue and letters of commendation for fire fighting ability. After retirement from the Washington DC Fire Department he moved back to Mahanoy City. He was a loyal member of the former St. Joseph Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and now St. Teresa of Calcutta Church. He was a member of the International Association of Firefighters Local 36 Washington DC, Retired Firefighters Association also in Washington DC. He was a 67 year member of the Mahanoy City American Legion Post 74, the Anthracite Polka and Coal Cracker Polka Association.
He was a perpetual adorer of the Adoration Chapel since it opened 38 years ago in Mahanoy City. He also was a 40 year member of the Cannon Hole Spring and Game Club in Lycoming County. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by 3 sisters Antoinette, Patricia and Blanche. He is survived by a niece Diana Patin and her husband John of New Jersey, a nephew retired Lt. Col. Daniel Fuller of Louisiana, a great grand nephew and a great grand niece and his very best friend and dance partner Marie Rushanan. Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral on Monday morning at 10 AM from David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM from St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Mahanoy City. Interment with military honors will be at 12:30 PM at Indiantown Gap Nation Cemetery in Annville.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday morning beginning at 8:30 AM. In lieu of flowers contributions in Pete's name to St. Teresa of Calcutta Church would be appreciated. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com for more information.
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