Peter DeCordova Obituary – Poughkeepsie Journal – Poughkeepsie Journal

Peter deCordova

Savannah – Peter deCordova, of The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, GA, passed away in his home peacefully on December 10, 2021. He was 89 years old.

He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1932. He was the son of the late Noel deCordova Sr. and Dorothy Kirchner deCordova. He attended Phillips Academy Andover in Andover, MA, The Oakwood School in Poughkeepsie, NY, and graduated from Duke University in 1955. Duke basketball games remained a favorite pastime throughout his life.

After college he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Air Force and attended flying schools in Moultrie, GA. Big Springs, TX, and Sherman, TX. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to the air defense command and stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base in Concord, MA and flew the F-86 fighter interceptor. He left the Air Force as a Captain. Peter married Susan Ellwood in 1958 in Dallas, TX and they were devoted to each other until she passed on 50 years later.

In 1959, he began his career as a salesman for Scott Paper Company in New Orleans, LA and then was assigned to headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. He became promotion manager and then merchandising manager of the consumer products division. In 1970, he bought Benedict Corporation, a Pontiac, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, GMC and Subaru dealership in Norwich, NY. Peter and Susan ultimately retired in Savannah, GA to indulge in their passions of bridge and golf. He proudly displayed the award for his 157 yard hole-in-one.

During his 27 years in Norwich, Peter was also a director of Opportunities for Chenango, chairman of the Chenango County chapter of the American Red Cross, and president of the United Way of Norwich. He also served on the board of trustees for Preferred Mutual Insurance of New Berlin, NY and Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, MA.

Peter had an entrepreneurial spirit and from 1987-2019 he established and was an active partner with his friend John Maschal in several fudge stores located in Nags Head, NC, Newport, RI, and Rockport, MA.

He is predeceased by wife Susan Ellwood deCordova and brother Noel de Cordova Jr. (Deborah). He is survived by two daughters, Diane deCordova of New York, NY and Debra deCordova MacLeod (John), grandson Cameron Noel MacLeod of Savannah, GA, nephews Noel de Cordova III (Melissa) and Michael deCordova (Anna) and cousin Elizabeth Lumb.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com. A memorial service will be held in Savannah, GA early in 2022.

The family requests no flowers. Remembrances may be donated to Hospice Savannah Inc. 1352 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406 (https://www.hospicesavannah.org/give-2/donations/).

Peter deCordova

Savannah – Peter deCordova, of The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, GA, passed away in his home peacefully on December 10, 2021. He was 89 years old.

He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY in 1932. He was the son of the late Noel deCordova Sr. and Dorothy Kirchner deCordova. He attended Phillips Academy Andover in Andover, MA, The Oakwood School in Poughkeepsie, NY, and graduated from Duke University in 1955. Duke basketball games remained a favorite pastime throughout his life.

After college he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Air Force and attended flying schools in Moultrie, GA. Big Springs, TX, and Sherman, TX. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to the air defense command and stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base in Concord, MA and flew the F-86 fighter interceptor. He left the Air Force as a Captain. Peter married Susan Ellwood in 1958 in Dallas, TX and they were devoted to each other until she passed on 50 years later.

In 1959, he began his career as a salesman for Scott Paper Company in New Orleans, LA and then was assigned to headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. He became promotion manager and then merchandising manager of the consumer products division. In 1970, he bought Benedict Corporation, a Pontiac, Cadillac, Oldsmobile, GMC and Subaru dealership in Norwich, NY. Peter and Susan ultimately retired in Savannah, GA to indulge in their passions of bridge and golf. He proudly displayed the award for his 157 yard hole-in-one.

During his 27 years in Norwich, Peter was also a director of Opportunities for Chenango, chairman of the Chenango County chapter of the American Red Cross, and president of the United Way of Norwich. He also served on the board of trustees for Preferred Mutual Insurance of New Berlin, NY and Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, MA.

Peter had an entrepreneurial spirit and from 1987-2019 he established and was an active partner with his friend John Maschal in several fudge stores located in Nags Head, NC, Newport, RI, and Rockport, MA.

He is predeceased by wife Susan Ellwood deCordova and brother Noel de Cordova Jr. (Deborah). He is survived by two daughters, Diane deCordova of New York, NY and Debra deCordova MacLeod (John), grandson Cameron Noel MacLeod of Savannah, GA, nephews Noel de Cordova III (Melissa) and Michael deCordova (Anna) and cousin Elizabeth Lumb.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com. A memorial service will be held in Savannah, GA early in 2022.

The family requests no flowers. Remembrances may be donated to Hospice Savannah Inc. 1352 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah, GA 31406 (https://www.hospicesavannah.org/give-2/donations/).