Tales from Costco - March 4, 2011

Pete put in an application to work at PriceClub, a warehouse store that was under construction one block away from our home in 1992. The company had a store, I believe it was in Hazlet, that was already operational so when his application was approved, Pete and the other applicants were sent to Hazelt to be trained and ready for the opening of the new store in Brick. PriceClub eventually became PriceCostco and finally Costco.

Pete held several positions in his early years working on the floor, at the registers, in the food court and even held a supervisory postition for a brief time. He really didn't care for being a supervisor because it meant he sometimes had to admonish or reprimand and he never did like being in that kind of situation. When he started in the pharmacy he seemed to have found his niche. He was taking courses part-time at Ocean County College, and then at Rutgers, working toward a degree in chemistry with the intention of applying to Pharmacy school. He was only a few credits shy of that chemistry degree when he received the devastating news of his diagnosis.

So many members of his Costco Family have been sharing with me their personal experiences, accounts of Pete's kindness, caring and laughter; brief insights into a "bear of a man" with an enormous heart.

Sandra B wrote: I’ll never forget the first time that I walked into the Pharmacy and was told that I would be entering prescriptions for the first time. To be honest, I was scared out of my mind! I had bare bones knowledge and didn’t know what to do. Then Jeff told me, “Don’t worry. Petey’s going to be with you. You’ll be fine.” So here I am all day bugging Pete and asking him so many dumb questions and feeling badly for doing so, but the funny thing was it didn’t seem to phase him. He just answered me and walked me through it all.

Well, needless to say, 5 years later I recognize that I learned the majority of what I needed to know about insurances from “The Insurance Guru!” If Pete couldn’t get a claim to go through insurance, NO ONE COULD!!! Even after that first day, any time I needed help, he was there. He truly was the best at what he did and I just hope that what he taught me rubbed off enough to be half as good at my job as he was at his… Thank you for everything, Petey Boy!!! Never will forget ya!!!

Ellen G added this short piece: When I first started working at Costco I worked in the café. The soda machines were making a funny noise, a rhythmic "psst-click". I turned around and there was Pete walking past with his head and legs moving like a chicken. It was sooo funny!

Gina and Pete

Some of the most poignant stories were told to me by his co-workers as they offered their condolances at the funeral home. Their words were a testament to Pete, reaffirmating that he was a man of uncompromising character and grace. I have always been proud of Pete, as I am of my daughter, Gina, and to hear that the way he lived his life had a positive imact upon so many people helps me as I stumble through this very difficult time.

Pete never wanted people to make a fuss over him. He was profound in his thoughts, unpretentious in his ways. The world has lost a beautiful person and we mourn his passing, but he left with us a legacy of peace, love and gentleness. We can best honor his memory by striving to live our lives according to the example he set for us.