Peter G. Ritari

Peter G. Ritari, age 66, of Deerton, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 28, 2023.  He was born on June 24, 1956 in Marquette to the late Carl and Helen (Penhale) Ritari.   Pete grew up in Marquette and at an early age fell in love with hunting and fishing.  He loved hot rodding and driving his Camaro and Chevelle – the more horse power, the better.   Pete was said to have been born with a wrench in his hand and would buy broken down cars to fix and flip.  He worked for many years at Kimar’s and JM VanDamme as a diesel mechanic in Cornell.   Pete also worked at the Quinnesec Paper Mill.  He married Tina Dale who he lovingly called “Sparky”  and together they raised their two sons.   Pete and Sparky loved to hunt and fish together.  They were married many years when she preceded him in death in September of 2010.  Pete was a great teacher sharing his love of hunting and fishing with his son Jon and teaching his mechanic skills to his son Pete.  He was lucky to love and be loved by two women.  The time he spent with his wife Tina and the last years with his girlfriend Lisa Gutzman.  Pete was the best Papa and protected his family to no end.  He had a tough exterior, but was a teddy bear to those he loved.

Pete is survived by his son – Peter J. Ritari (Crystal Thomas) of Sands, MI; girlfriend – Lisa Gutzman of Deerton; daughter-in-law – Rachel Ritari of Deerton; grandchildren – Austin, Haddi, McKenna, Skye, Alexander, Logan, Grace, Caleb, and Hunter; great-grandchildren – Mariah, Austin, Hayden, Samantha, Payton, Logan, Amora, Jaxxon, and Zayne; brother – Rodney Ritari of Marquette; and numerous nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Tina “Sparky”, son Jonathan, and siblings Carl (Doris) Ritari, Jr., Sheila Malvasio, Gretchen Ritari, Juanita (Reubin) Mattson, and Robert Ritari, and sister-in-law Julie Ritari.

A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2023 from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Onota Township Town Hall in Deerton.