Pete Stenger

Francis “Pete” Stenger of St. Joseph passed away Thursday, September 14th, at Hanson Hospice in Stevensville. Most beloved during his full life, his loving family will forever miss the strength, wisdom, passion, and nurturing nature his presence provided.   Pete was born in New York City on December 23rd, 1937 to Hungarian born parents, Frank and Lena (Toth) Stenger. His parents owned restaurants in New York including, Stenger’s Midtown House and Carnegie Tavern at historic Carnegie Hall, and later they managed country clubs in New Hampshire and New Jersey.  This upbringing left Pete with a unique blending of big city “street smarts,” appreciation of fine food, and an affinity for golf and tennis.  In New York, Pete served as an altar boy and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1954.   At age 16, Pete was off to the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Two life-long passions came his way at college: a love for collegiate wrestling, and far more profound, Pete met Nancy Ann Zeiner of Allentown, Pennsylvania.  The true soul mates dated throughout the college years, and Pete graduated in spring of 1958.  On April 11th, 1959, they were married in Allentown.    Pete accepted employment as a management trainee with Continental Can Company. The only employer the couple would come to know led them to many stops: Posaic, NJ in 1959; Seaford, Long Island in 1961; Atlanta, GA in 1968; Houston, TX in 1971; Glen Ellyn, IL in 1973; Ridgefield, CT in 1979; and St. Joseph, MI in 1986.  This last stop saw Pete assume the role of Plant Manager of the Continental Can Company facility in St. Joseph.  While in the international division of Continental, Pete traveled to countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Indonesia, and Mexico.  He and Nancy shared a love of music, travel, reading, and food.     Pete is survived by his children, Kathyrn Driscoll of Three Oaks; Peter (Jane) Stenger of St. Joseph, Timothy Stenger of St. Joseph, and Theodore (Michelle) Stenger of St. Joseph; his grandchildren, James (Masha) Driscoll, Diana, Elizabeth and Kathleen Driscoll, and Isaac Stenger; and great grandchildren, Jay and Nella Driscoll; and brother-in-law, Jeffrey Zeiner of New York, NY.  He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy on March 7, 2014 and his parents. A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M., Monday, September 18th at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.  Memorial donations in Pete’s name may be made to Hanson Hospice Center.  Those wishing to sign Pete’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.