Peter A. Colantoni

Peter Anthony Colantoni, of Wintersville, OH, passed away on March 12, 2024, at the age of 73 as a result of vascular dementia.   Peter was born on June 26, 1950, to his late parents John and Angeline (Maggi) Colantoni in Steubenville, OH. 

Peter graduated from Wintersville High School in 1968, was drafted for Vietnam and then quickly selected for one of the highest honors as a Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.  He was promoted to Sergeant of the Guard and walked the mat from 1969-1971, an impressive honor he rarely spoke about.  Peter spent the majority of his life working at Timet Titanium Metals Corp.in Toronto, OH while balancing the photography of local weddings, class reunions, the Jefferson County Fair and various youth sports teams within the community.  

Peter and Lorraine (Givens) Colantoni were happily married for fifty years (May 19, 1973). They had two daughters, Cristen Colantoni Weissbach of New York and the late Monica Colantoni-Minturn of Pittsburgh; and father figure to James Cassidy of Wintersville.  

Peter and Lorraine grew up together on McDowell Avenue in Steubenville and started dating when reunited at the Aquanaut after Peter was discharged from the US Army.  They married shortly thereafter, opened the Front Page on Sunset Blvd and  began to plan their future. Peter built the house their daughters were brought home to; James lived across the street and the kids all grew up together.  They played in the yard and the surrounding woods balanced with valuable life lessons and common sense lectures.  

Peter loved people; a true conversationalist.   He could never get enough of talking and listening to others' thoughts and experiences.  Peter was always invested in his exchanges and especially in his relationships, truly caring and always willing to offer his life lessons, time or expertise.  Peter never forgot a favor he owed and he always went with the flow, but never followed the crowd.  

Peter often called himself the “Jack of all trades, master of none.”  He knew something about everything and was always willing to explore something new; a true entrepreneur - self taught photographer, builder of his own home, store owner, hunter, golfer, skier, bicyclist, wine maker, collector, fixer of anything, rescuer of any stranger needing help and devoted community member.  

Peter was dapper, passionate, curious, clever, spontaneous, adventurous, strong and always brave…a genuinely good Man.   Peter adored and protected his home and family fiercely.  

Peter is survived by the love of his life, his wife Lorraine; his devoted daughter Cristen; his loving brother Mark Colantoni and sister Clara Colantoni Miller; family matriarch, aunt Palmina Maggi; respected son-in laws Daniel Weissbach and Charles Bruce (CB) Minturn III; beautiful grandchildren Stella Minturn, Alina Minturn, Iris  Minturn and River Moreano Weissbach; empathetic and supportive sister-in law Joni Colantoni; fellow mischief maker Ron Babbs (partner of Clara); caring nieces Amy Colantoni Parikakis, Cara Walter, and Marci Colantoni-Wojtas; loyal nephews Noah Miller and Adam Miller.   The list of cousins, great nieces, great nephews and loving  family members is endless.

“To the world, you may be one person; to one person you may be the world.” -Dr. Seuss.      His late, second born daughter, Monica, recited these poignant words to him many times.   May they be reunited together and cross the Rainbow Bridge to embrace our beloved four legged family members Squeaky, Max, Emma and Murphy.  

Visitation will be held Friday March 22 from 3-6 pm and Saturday March 23 from 10-11 am at Mosti Funeral Home, Sunset Chapel, Steubenville, OH. A funeral service will be held at Mosti Funeral Home Saturday March 23 officiated by Jason Elliott at 11am, followed by an internment at Union Cemetery and a Celebration of Life Luncheon in Wintersville, OH. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Brain Foundation (americanbrainfoundation.org).  The American Brain Foundation promotes and invests in research across the whole spectrum of brain disease. They believe that when they cure one of these diseases, they will cure many.

Vascular dementia impacted Peter’s life greatly, however he handled it with bravery, perseverance and humor.  Peter would like nothing more than to pay it forward with research and findings.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss