Peter J. Gumaskas

Windham, NH: Lt. Colonel Peter J. Gumaskas, U. S. Army (Ret.), 96, a former longtime resident of Riverside Drive, Lawrence, MA, died on Friday, January 29, 2016 at Warde Health Center, in Windham, surrounded by his loving and devoted daughter and son-in-law.

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, son of the late Motiejus and Kazimera (Paulekas) Gumaskas, he attended Lawrence High School and graduated from the Massachusetts Military Academy in 1940. He later attended the University of Kansas.

Entering into active duty in January of 1941, Lt. Col. Gumaskas was a veteran of W.W.II and the Korean Conflict, completing twenty years of service before his retirement in December of 1960. He first served with the 101st Quartermaster Regiment, Company D, Massachusetts National Guard. During his career he served in the American Theater, Asiatic-Pacific Theater and European Theater and Australia, with several posts in the United State including: New Jersey, New York, Maine, Virginia and Hawaii. He served as the Commanding Officer of the Mt. Washington test detachment, as well as assignment to the Quartermaster Depot in Giessen, Germany, and later to the staff and faculty of the General's Command Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and finally to Fort Devens with the Central Post Fund. He received several commendations and awards including the Asiatic Pacific Medal, World War II Victory Medal, the World War II Occupation Medal, The National and American Defense Service Medals, the Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal, Military Merit Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Marksman Shooting Badge and the Armed Forces Retired Commemorative Medal. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association and the Military Officers Association of America.

Following his retirement from the Army, he was employed at Raytheon and later Avco Corp. before his retirement in 1970.

A longtime active member of Saint Francis Parish of Lawrence, he served as a lector, usher, chairman of the annual picnic committee, member of the Parish Council and President of the Holy Name Society and member of the Knights of Columbus. He was later a member of Corpus Christi Parish, where he served as a lector and continued this ministry at the Chapel at the Warde Health Center.

Lt. Col. Gumaskas was an avid coin collector and member of the Neumismatic Club. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he also enjoyed traveling, fishing, cooking, gardening, and attending family holiday, church and school functions and celebrations.

A resident of the Warde Health Center of Windham in his later years, he remained active in their activities, and was a wonderful ambassador to new residents of his new home.

Predeceased by his first wife Florence I. (Lattinville) Gumaskas in 1978 and his second wife Gertrude (Budge) Gumaskas in 1981, he will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his daughter and son-in-law, Denise "Dede" and Deacon George Borkush of Hampstead, a son and daughter-in-law, Peter T. and Andrea Gumaskas of Inverness, FL, a sister Aldona Morrell of Salem, NH, five grandsons and their wives, David and Sharon Borkush of Concord, NH, Daniel and Meredith Borkush of Wake Forest, NC, Matthew and Jessica Borkush of Raymond, NH, Peter J. and Elizabeth Gumaskas of Somerville, MA, and Justin and Shelby Smagula of Auburn, NH, also seven great grandchildren, Jackson Borkush, Caitlyn Borkush, Nathan Borkush, Chloe Borkush, Alexis Ostman, Ricky Smagula, and Jocelyn Smagula and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Winters.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Life Celebration to be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Warde Health Center, 21 Searles Road, Windham, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of the Warde Health Center followed by burial with Military Honors in Saint Mary/Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence, MA. In Lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Activities Department of the Warde Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 21 Searles Road, Windham, NH 03087. Arrangements are under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, Plaistow, NH. To send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.brooksidechapelfh.com.