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Peter Henry Parodi, 71, Hamden, (Chester and Meriden), passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on Aug. 10, surrounded by family and lifelong friend Guy Brown. Peter was born on Sept. 3, 1947, to Harry and Dorothy (Lebert) Parodi.

Peter grew up in Chester, which was the backdrop for the 1959 movie, “It Happened to Jane.” Peter served as an extra in the movie while in the Boy Scouts. He attended Chester Grammar School and Valley Regional High School (class of ‘65). From there, he graduated from Quinnipiac College in 1969 and continued to take various courses at Southern Connecticut State College and Yale University.

Peter was a conscientious objector and worked at the Brattleboro Retreat in Vermont to serve his country in lieu of serving in the armed forces. Throughout his life, Peter took on this role of promoting peace wherever life took him.

Throughout his life, Peter was employed many places, but his most rewarding was his employment at St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School from 1982 to 1992. There he served as teacher, organist, and choirmaster, and was fondly remembered for staging a multitude of Christmas Pageants for the school.

Peter was able to make friends everywhere he went, and some of his best ones were made through his careers in education and retail, whether it was at Mile Creek School in Old Lyme, Chess King Inc., G. Fox and Co., or Filenes.

In his free time, Peter was a member of the New Haven Preservation Trust, served on the board of directors for Davenport Residents Trust, volunteered at Trinity Church, and sang in the New Haven Connecticut Gay Men’s Chorus. Because of his love for music, Peter performed as an organist for many weddings and funerals. In the summers, Peter spent his time working at various Guest Houses in Provincetown.

Peter enjoyed many activities, including traveling, gourmet cooking, summer trips to the beach, adding to his vast elephant collection, decorating for the holidays, collecting Queen Elizabeth memorabilia, playing the organ, singing, and of course, a good martini with olives.

Peter was quick to crack a joke and at every family event was the life of the party. He enjoyed food and loved the company of his beloved family and lifelong friend Guy.

Peter leaves behind his sister MarieAnne Parodi Heft; his nieces Bonni Waterman, Louann Heft (goddaughter), and Paulette Heft; his nephew Martin Heft; five great-nieces, Dalena, Tanya, Allyson, Amanda, and Amber; and two great-great-nieces, Farrah and Nona. He also leaves behind his lifelong friend and supporter Guy Brown who has been by Peter’s side for countless years.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to Trinity on the Green Music Program, 950 Chapel St., 2nd Fl., New Haven, CT 06510.