Peter, 80, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2012 after a brief illness.

Peter was born on December 24, 1931, and was a longtime resident of Yuba County. Peter was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1951, he enlisted in the US Air Force and was eventually stationed at Beale Air Force Base. It was during this period of his life that Peter met the love of his life, Mariel Martin, whom he married in 1954. He and his wife made their home in West Linda where they raised their two children. Peter retired in 1991 after working 33 years as a route salesman for Laura Scudders. Peter was a lifetime member of the Marysville Elks Lodge #783 since 1967.

Peter is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mariel Paterno; daughter, Lisa Paterno of Sacramento; son, Peter Steven Paterno and his wife Donna of Yuba City; his granddaughter, Ashlee; and many loving nieces; nephews; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Angelo and Anna Paterno; and his sister Stella Sandvik.

A viewing will be held at Lipp & Sullivan Funeral home in Marysville, Thursday, January 26 between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Friday, January 27 at Noon at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marysville. Interment following at Sutter Cemetery. Reception following in Yuba City.

The family asks that gifts in memory of Peter be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .