Of Waltham & Hyannisport, passed away suddenly early Wednesday morning December 6th, 2017 at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington at the age of 67. 

Born on December 27, 1949 in Waltham; son of the late Peter C. Collura and Terese (Bradley) Collura and step-son of the late Bernadette ( Weir ) Collura, he was a lifelong resident of Waltham. 

Peter graduated from Waltham High School with the Class of 1967. He was drafted into the armed services and selected to serve with the United States Navy. He proudly served his country aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal Avt-59 during the Vietnam War. He often spoke that serving with the United States Navy gave him the opportunity to travel the world and see so much. Later in life he used those experiences to travel with his family and develop a love for the ocean and boating. 

He returned from the service and began bartending in the Boston area, including at the Chateau Restaurant in Waltham. After his marriage he joined with the family operating the WAL-LEX Recreation Center on Lexington Street in Waltham. He co-owned and operated the family business for over 20 years.

For the past 15 years Peter has been an Executive with Commodore Builders, a job he was passionate about, not only because he thrived on developing relationships, but also because it was a chance to build a great business with his cousin Joe Albanese.

His greatest treasure in life was his family. He loved the time spent with family and friends; but most important was following his grandchildren as they grew. He enjoyed all family gatherings, dance recitals, swim meets, sporting events and spent as much time with them as possible. He himself had been a strong athlete in his day, excelling at baseball & hockey. That love of sports carried through the years as a diehard Boston sports fan following the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. 

Peter was an avid golfer and enjoyed a membership of Barnstable County Golf for many years.  Almost every weekend during warm months, he could be found at the house in Hyannisport, spending hours in the pool with his family, telling jokes and stories and entertaining while cooking up a storm.  He had a reputation as an amazing cook and loved to grow his own vegetables to be used with many of the dishes he created for family & friends. 

Another way he enjoyed life was traveling, whether visiting family, golfing or seeing new places and trying new food.

Peter was a people person, outgoing and full of life. He enjoyed being a mentor to others and teaching life's lessons to anyone who would listen. He believed in giving back to his community and was a natural activist & organizer; working especially with many local civic and charitable organizations. He was a member of the Waltham Lions Club, and worked closely with GWARC and the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Boston. He served on the Waltham Zoning Board of Appeals for a brief period of time. 
 
He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years Rita M. (Tortola) Collura, his devoted & loving children Julie M. Fragale and her husband Edoardo of Sudbury, Pete Collura and his wife Mel of Waltham and Jeffrey Collura and his wife Courtney of Wakefield, his cherished grandchildren Gabriella, Caterina, Paul, Anthony, Vincent and Lucia, and his dear siblings Susan Muscarella of FL, Annette Collura of CA, Beverly Harrington and her husband Arthur of Medford, Michael Collura and his wife Karen of Waltham, Paul Collura and his wife Carol of WA and the late David Collura. In addition he is survived by several aunts, uncles, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous dear friends.

Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral Services in celebration of Peter's Life from the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody Street, Waltham on Monday morning Dec. 11th at 9:00 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street Waltham at 10:00 a.m. Interment with United States Navy Military Honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waltham. Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons on Sunday Dec. 10th from 1 - 5 p.m. Parking attendants will be on duty. 

Flowers are appreciated or expressions of sympathy may be made in Peter's memory to the New England Center and Home for Veterans, 17 Court Street, Boston, Ma. 02108.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Peter F. Collura, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.