Peter C. Procopio's Obituary
Peter C. Procopio, DDS, died on November 20, 2023, at the age of 80 after a brave struggle with pancreas cancer which he tackled with tenacity and dignity. He was born in Syracuse, NY on August 19, 1943, to Carmella Italiano Procopio and Steven Anthony Procopio. Peter was a first generation American who was named after his paternal grandfather. Peter had an idyllic childhood growing up on Kirk Avenue with his cousins for neighbors and a park right across the street from his home. He and his parents and sisters lived upstairs in a two-family house and his maternal grandparents lived downstairs. He graduated from Danforth Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School, and Syracuse Central Technical High School in 1961. He graduated from Le Moyne College in 1965 and from the University of Buffalo Dental School in 1969.
He served a one-year residency at Upstate Medical Center and volunteered there in the dental department as an adjunct professor for 40 years. Dr. Procopio opened a private dental practice in Liverpool, NY in 1971 where he practiced general dentistry for 30 years before retiring in 2000. He married Deena Stone on October 19, 1974. They lived in Brewerton, NY before retiring to Marco Island, FL.
Peter’s favorite hobbies were boating and hunting and gardening. He planted vegetable gardens wherever he lived, growing tomatoes and basil to be able to have a fresh tomato salad with basil everyday year-round. He enjoyed deer hunting and was able to bag a buck every fall. He was a former member of Grasse River Club (a hunting club) in Piercefield, NY where he was responsible for organizing a themed Fall Frolic at the club for many years. The favorite Fall Frolic was the Mardi Gras party complete with a roasted pig and a parade of decorated ATVs. Deena and Peter enjoyed boating on the Mutual Fun IV in SWFL where they joined the Marco Cruise Club after taking the boat down the intracoastal from the 1000 Islands to Marco Island. The one-month cruise was one of the highlights of his life. Another highlight was a one-month cruise on the Mutual Fun IV in the Bahamas. Peter served as Commodore of the Marco Cruise Club in 2009. He also belonged to the Leaky Bottom Fishing Club and immensely enjoyed the camaraderie and the annual fishing trip to Ontario.
Peter and Deena spent the summer months at their cottage on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands where he enjoyed fishing for Northern Pike.
Peter was predeceased by his parents and his grandparents and a sister, Julie Klink.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Deena Stone Procopio. Also surviving are a brother, Steven A. Procopio, Jr. (Deborah), brother-in-law, Richard E. Klink, a sister, Susan Jean Paparo (Dominic), sisters-in-law, Sandra Stone Silver (Steve) and Adrienne Marquart (Randy Smith) and nieces and nephews, Richard Klink (Peri), Steven Klink (Stephanie), Michelle Serdula (Todd), Alyssa Procopio Clayton (Matthew), Taylor Procopio Pilecki (Kyle), Steven Procopio, David Silver (Kristina), Ethan Silver (Brittany), Adam Silver (Hallie), Derek Marquart, Rachel Slingsby (Cory), and many great nieces and great nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. Also surviving are his four granddaughters, Brittany Brodowsky, Hannah Vadas, Payton Vadas, and Mila Vadas, all of whom he adored.
Peter suggested that memorial gifts be made to Light a Child’s Future Endowment Fund at Syracuse Diocese of Catholic Schools or a charity of your choice.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, November 24, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. A funeral service in celebration of Peter’s life will be at Divine Mercy Church, 592 S. Main St., Central Square, NY at 9:00 am on Saturday, November 25, 2023, followed by entombment at St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum, DeWitt, NY.
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