Obituary: Peter Filas, 89, of Branford

Jonesboro, TN resident, Peter Filas, passed away Sunday April 3rdh at the Mountain Home VA Medical Center after a long illness.

He would have been 90 years old this month. Peter was born on April 25th 1926 in New Haven, Connecticut. Peter was one of seven children born to the late Jacob and Suzie Filas.

Peter attended Hillhouse High School in New Haven and enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 17. He became a 22mm Gunner and achieved the rank of 3rd Class Gunner Mate.

During World War II Peter served primarily in the combat campaigns in the Mediterranean, New Guinea and the Philippines. After his service in the Navy he returned to the New Haven area.

Peter worked a number of jobs but spent most of his life working for the Upjohn Company, from which he retired after 32 years. Peter and his wife lived in the Indian Neck area of Branford, CT for over 25 years where they raised their family.

Sports and family were always the focus of Peter’s life. He played baseball for one of the Navy’s baseball teams and through out his life enjoyed basketball, baseball, tennis and golf. For several years he played in the over 70 Cape Cod Softball League when living in both Dennis and Yarmouth. He was a proud member of the VFW and marched in many Cape Cod Veterans Day parades.

Peter is survived by June Filas, his wife of over 60 years and his loving children Paula Filas of Otis, MA., Pamela Guerette and husband Michael of North Haven, CT., Susan Miller and husband Ken of Hopedale, MA., Peter Filas Jr. of Hastings On Hudson, NY., and Sarah Janes and husband Michael of Falmouth, MA.

Peter also leaves grand children Jennifer, Kelsey, Adam, Candace , Kyla, Elizabeth, Chase and a great grand daughter Coral. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Filas of New Haven, CT, sister Agnes Filas of New Haven, CT, brother Andrew Filas of New Haven CT, sister Helen Filas Fenwick of Branford, CT, sister Mary Filas Maple of Napa CA, and his brother John Filas of Lake Tahoe, NV.