Pete S. Figueroa

Pete Figueroa

was born on January 25, 1933 at home on 161 South Colorado St, in Chandler. Pete was the second born child of Mary Bernal, lovingly raised by Mary and George Bernal. Pete was a life-long Chandler resident. He passed away March 18, 2018 at the age of 85.

Growing up Pete attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and graduated from Chandler High School. He worked for Gene’s Market grocery store while attending school and he served as a Caddie at the San Marcos Golf Course.

After graduation, Pete joined the Army, where he trained to be a paratrooper. Pete loved parachuting. He was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Airborne 101st Infantry with his cousin Joe Valdez. Pete and Joe were not only cousins, but also the best of friends. Pete and his brother George, who was in the Marines , loved reminiscing about their time in military. Pete also loved to share heroic tales with our family. One such tale was of a man, Conrad who was tangled on the tail of the plane and dragged. Conrad was rescued by an emergency parachute company. It is thought that Pete was a part of this rescue.

When Pete returned home from the service, he was employed in the Mess Hall of Williams Air Force Base for several years. Later, Pete was hired at the Agricultural Chemical Plant in South Chandler. The plant shut down and Pete sought employment at Basha’s Grocery Store, where he remained until his retirement.

Pete’s service to others extended past his work hours. He was a member of the Elks Lodge, where he served in the House Committee and was an Exalted Ruler, maintaining lodge memberships. Pete was well known for his cooking, where he served and volunteered for the majority of the years in the Elks Lodge.

Pete was also a true servant of the Lord. He loved worshiping and ushering every Sunday at the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Pete was accustomed to arriving an hour early before Mass and for all events. He would drape his vest over the pew to save his place. In the 13 years he served as an usher; he only missed Mass twice due to illness. The last 8 months of his life, Pete dearly missed attending Mass and fulfilling his obligation to serve as an usher. He was grounded in his faith in Christ, and loved honoring the Lord. Once Pete was unable to drive, his brother George was his personal Uber. George took Pete anywhere he needed to go to be with the Lord. Even when he entered Hospice Care, a Chaplin visited Pete every Monday to administer Holy Communion to him.

Pete is survived by his siblings, Irene Nino, Inez Perreault, and George S. Bernal, 10 nieces, 6 nephews, 12 great nieces, 12 great nephews, 10 great -great nieces, and 9 great- great nephews.

The services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, starting with a rosary at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Mass at 10:00 a.m. and the interment at Valley of the Sun at 11:30 a.m.