Peter Benjamin DuPré, affectionately known as Harmonica Pete, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2022, with his eldest son, Michael, by his side. He was born on May 12, 1923 in Ogdensburg, New York, to parents Benjamin and Catherine. He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Jane (Szelag), sister Jane (Rex, John), brothers Paul (Molly), David (Mary Kay, Marion), Thomas (Anna), and stepbrother Don Johnson (Kathy)
He was survived by sons Michael (Deborah, Judy), James (Peggy), Robert (Karen), Pierre (Beth), daughter Mary Ann, grandchildren Megan, Katie (Bradley), Eric (Isabella), Michael (Priscilla), Lisa (Rob), and great grandchildren Ashley, Lilly, Josh, Sierra, Selena, and Michael, Jr.
Pete graduated high school from Edison Tech in Rochester, NY. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, a bomb landed in the storage building that housed the Bausch and Lomb binoculars for our Pacific Fleet. The bomb knocked the binoculars out of calibration so they were sent back to B & L in Rochester for repair. Pete was one of two Edison Tech seniors who were selected to begin the binocular repair. His trainer was a female senior from another high school, as he has said “this cute, little Polish girl named Janie” who he married in 1944
Pete followed his three brothers into WWII service, serving as a US Army Medic at the 114th Army General Hospital in Kidderminster, England, treating wounded soldiers during and after the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he returned to Rochester, attended and graduated as a draftsman from the Rochester Anthenaeum and Mechanics Institute (now the Rochester Institute of Technology), and with Janie, began raising his daughter and four sons in Penfield, New York.
Retiring from his job with the Prudential Insurance Company, Pete, Jane, and their son, Pierre, moved to Lake Worth Florida for 26 years before returning to his beloved Fairport, New York. In Rochester and Lake Worth, Pete began his life-long service to his communities, becoming a charter member of the Penfield Volunteer Ambulance and an active member and past president for area Lions Clubs. In Penfield, Pete was a Deacon, choir member, and very active parishioner in St. Joseph’s parish. In Fairport, he proudly served his hometown church, The Church of the Assumption, as the harmonica-playing member of its choir. As a devout Catholic in these parishes, Pete lived his faith openly, with kindness, gentleness, and in the service of others. Pete brought joy and inspired lives with his music, whether in the privacy of a nursing home room or surrounded by thousands of fans in a sports stadium.
Born in “the Burg,” Pete returned to his beloved St. Lawrence River yearly, instilling in his children and grandchildren his life-long love of fishing, campfires, and the wonderful traditions involved with vacationing with family. He loved the multi-generational, biannual River reunions where all 5 clans celebrated the great traditions of the DuPré family.
As a devoted husband, Pete became Jane’s caregiver, first at home, and later with the help of the staff of the Fairport Baptist Homes. Pete and Jane were married for 70 years; he was dedicated to her well-being daily until her death in 2014. He volunteered his time to her and other residents, playing his harmonica for formal, large group concerts and for informal, private sessions. During that time, he became known as the “Mayor” of the Baptist Home community.
Pete’s hometown life changed when he flew on a mission for Honor Flight Rochester. He became a staff member for the organization, entertaining Honor Flight veterans from WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam for 9 years. It was during this time, that Harmonica Pete was introduced to The Greatest Generation Foundation (#TGGF, www.tggf.org). With TGGF, Pete traveled multiple times to the battlefields of Europe, to Paris, and to Pearl Harbor. As people experienced Pete’s emotional interpretation of our National Anthem and all he represented as a patriotic veteran, local and national organizations desired to have that experience at their events. He cherished each invitation and was delighted to receive personalized gifts and jerseys such as those from the Rochester Americans, LA Kings, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, and the cadets at West Point. The US Woman’s National Soccer team met Harmonica Pete on the beaches of Normandy and, a few months later, he accepted their invitation to play the Anthem at their send-off games for the World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics. Pete adored the US Woman’s National Team and often spoke of himself as their mascot.
One of Pete’s favorite stories was about his relationship with Luke’s Wings, a non-profit organization that raises money for wounded veterans to provide complimentary air fare to their families. At their black-tie galas, Pete assisted in raising money for this cause that meant so much to him. As a former Army medic, Pete saw this volunteer opportunity as a way of giving back to current wounded soldiers and assisting these veterans and their families during rehabilitation. Representing the Greatest Generation, Pete was selected to receive the Luke’s Wings Influencer Award at their April 2020 Gala in Washington, D.C., which unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic.
Pete brought his special blend of kindness, inspiration, generosity, and humor to K-12 and college classrooms, parades and town festivals, and local and national radio and TV shows. He loved his family, his town, his state, and our nation. He is described by many as a National Treasure who moved us with his heartfelt, patriotic music. He will remain a beloved icon whose devotion to family and love of God and country calls us to live our lives with service and honor.
Calling Hours will be held Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 3pm-6pm, at Keenan Funeral Home (7501 Pittsford Palmyra Rd., Fairport, NY 14450). A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 9:30am, at the Church of the Assumption (20 East Ave., Fairport, NY 14450). COVID masking precautions are required in both locations. A live stream of the funeral service will be found at Assumption’s website (www.cota.church/livestream).
The DuPré family would like to thank the following organizations for their support: the staff at the Fairport Baptist Homes, Penfield Volunteer Emergency Ambulance Service, Luke’s Wings, the Patriot Guard Riders, Honor Flight Rochester, the Greatest Generations Foundation, the Church of the Assumption, Keenan’s Funeral Home, and Rochester Regional Health Home Care and Hospice.
Those who wish to remember Pete in a special way may make gifts in his memory to The Greatest Generation Foundation (www.tggf.org), Honor Flight Rochester (www.honorflightrochester.org), or Fairport Baptist Homes Foundation (www.fairportbaptisthomes.org/giving) and Lukes Wings (https://lukeswings.org/)
As Pete would say, “God bless!”
Comments
34 responses to “DuPré, Peter B.”
Mickey and I are saddened by his death but he did live a full and productive life. An unforgettable person with a legacy to match. RIP Mr DuPre.
Dear JoDee and Mickey – Thank you for this and for honoring my Farher.
This is the most beautiful obituary….every word brings Pete to my mind so vividly. Pete was an inspiration to me from the moment I met him years ago at a Luke’s Wings gala where he was performing. Meeting him and Mary Ann was so humbling and memorable. I have been so blessed to have stayed in touch with him ever since, and so loved to hear his stories of his life. He touched so many lives…..and just these last few years impacted friends and strangers all over the world. God bless Pete, He is in the arms of Jesus now, at peace. I will miss our chats so much.
Have spent hours with Pete listening to his stories and hoping he would record them. Last met with him the Thursday before he passed: he was tired but alert and talkative as always. He will be missed but he will always remain in the hearts of those he touched.
It was an absolute Honor and privilege to know Pete and call him a Friend through my involvement with Honor Flight Rochester. My symphonies to Mary Ann and the rest of his Family. Heaven has became a better place with Pete going there.
I shall so miss our phone conversations where we would laugh as he regaled me with the stories of his childhood regarding his step brother who was my late husband Don. The world will miss the great stories he had in his head and his heart that he so willingly shared. I know that Don is so happy to have welcomed him so they can continue their conversations. They adored each other. RIP dear brother-in-law.
Pete was the sweetest man. I was honored to work on his wife’s funeral reception at Assumption . We talked about the wonderful polish food that was brought in. He gave me a beautiful gift when he played at my husband, Roger, funeral-it was a surprise that I will always remember. Rest in God’s loving hands . You will be missed
Pete was beautiful, kind soul. Heaven has gained a hero, play on Pete.
Pete changed my life too, beginning that Saturday of his Honor Flight. He took the front bus seat behind the driver and filled our bus with dozens of tunes that day. As with anyone who spent time with him, I say “Thanks Pete” for your spirit which will stay with me forever.
Hi Vince, It sure was nice to finally meet you yesterday. Along with my wife and myself I wish we would have starting volunteering along time before we did.
This is one the best organizations I can fully say it’s a true honor to be a part of. Thanks to you and many others for starting it up so many years ago for sure.
My deepest condolences to you and yours, Michael.
I had the honor of meeting Pete a handful of times and the stories were wonderful to listen to. Such an education. He certainly lived a very full life?
Kimmy – Thank you for honoring my Father ??
My dad, George Schwallie, was also a WWII veteran. He met Harmonica Pete through Honor Flight functions. Dad loved spending time with Pete. It warmed my heart so much to be a part of their visits together. They were quite a pair, taking turns telling the most interesting stories! My family was so touched and grateful that Harmonica Pete played at Dad’s wake and funeral. He really was a National Treasure and such a kind, wonderful man! He will certainly be missed.❤
My Cousin Pam and I had the honor of spending an afternoon with Pete at his home in Fairport a few years ago. Pam’s Father Art Dalberth who she never got to see was a pilot in WWII when his plane went down on a mission “Flying the Hump”. We got to Pete’s home early and I will always remember him riding down the street on his scooter with the American flag. We looked at old photos and talked about the missions her Father flew bringing fuel and supplies to the troops and returning to England with the wounded. Pete told her how he met many of these pilots on their return trips and that they saved countless lives with their efforts. A true History lesson from a most outstanding member of our Greatest Generation. Our thanks for your Service, the wonderful visit and the years of memories you created with your harmonica playing and just being who you were. May you Rest in Peace.
Mike, I’m so sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. He sounds like a wonderful person. I’m sure he will be missed.
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We will miss Pete for sure. What a true hero this man was. Thank You for your service to your country. We always enjoyed are chats with each other, even though they were few it was always an honor to talk with him when we had the chance too…
What wonderful experiences we have had with Harmonica Pete! From Amazing Grace at funerals in Assumption to America the Beautiiful at Memorial Day in Potter Park, we always considered ourselves blessed. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to your families….
Pete was such a kind, humble, respectful man. Our family was blessed to know him. He was so humble to discuss his momentous events in his life. Our daughters were blessed to have the opportunities to sing in conjunction with his harmonica playing at COTA. God Bless Pete and his family, thank you for the music.
loved loved your father,have wonderful memories of him.i worked with him at pru at 12 twelve corners.he was loved by all of my girls. if you needed if would always to the occasion.besides the music and the help with Christmas parties it was the ability to think of many limericks.saw your mon on mymerous
got lost didnt finish my comment,,,,i was with him a couple times on there on the st,law with that little little flat bottom that he brought from fla. i wasnt a happy camper.peace be wiith you all.
I’ve had several wonderful conversations with Pete over the last few years but a conversation we had one morning sitting down along the Canal by the Box Factory was truly life changing! Pete loved everyone and everyone loved Pete! Thank you Sir for the gift of your knowledge you shared with me and the gift of your music! RIP, SALUTE, & SEMPER FI SIR!
I have often told the story about getting our hands greasy fixing to convertible top of Bob’s Boxster. And I enjoyed his hymns at Mass at the Legacy’.
If ever the phrase “a life well lived” is applicable, it is with with Pete. A gentleman in every sense. It has been an honor to know him these past several years. He has a permanent and important place in our community’s history. Thank you, Dupre family, for sharing him with the world.
Pete was a great American. He served his country with honor and continued honoring his country for the rest of his time on Earth. His fellow veterans will welcome him into the Kingdom of Heaven with open arms.
Mike, Jimmy, Bob, Mary Ann & Pierre: My son Aaron just called me just now to tell me your dad had passed. He met him in a restaurant a few years back and that day he noticed Pete’s Veteran’s hat so he went over, shook his hand and thanked him then bought him his breakfast. Later that day he called me and asked me if I had ever heard of a guy called “Harmonica Pete”. He had connected the dots only for the harmonica because I play too. What he didn’t know was that “Mr. DuPre” had lived across the street from us on Country Lane and was a figure who loomed large in our lives, mine especially. He was my Confirmation Sponsor and incidentally got me started playing the harmonica too and I still do.
…..Part II….I’ve spoken to him on the phone a few times in the last few years and he was exactly the same as I remembered him to be when I was a child. What a sweet man. No doubt this is a sad day for you all but in the grand scheme of things you were fortunate to have one of the most wonderful men and awesome fathers children ever have had. Take Care. Jimmy
Jimmy – I will never forget growing up with your family on Country Lane – Thank you for honoring my Father ??
To the DuPre family. I wish you peace! I loved your dad. Among other things he used to call me on my birthday and play the birthday song on his harmonica. These are among the sweet and funny things I treasure. His was a life well lived, full of grace and gratitude. My heart goes out to the people he held dear – and that surely is his family. Much love, Maureen
Though I did not know Mr. DuPre, we had a friend in common, Raymonde Lachance. I read his obituary and am in awe of his accomplishments. He must have been a remarkable person. My condolences to his family.
Bless Pete’s beautiful spirit ,although I only met him once at one of he performances with Peg and Jim I could feel his gentle way s a sweet man you are sorely missed
A life well lived… a soul set free
Love , Dianne Zillioux
My wife Toni and I were 4 year neighbors of Pete. He will be greatly missed here at Deland Acres. I enjoyed so much the conversations we had about Prudential which included my father’s employment with the same company. A glass of wine now and then helped enrich our conversations. I will see you later Pete. Jerry Thompson, 63 Deland Acres Drive.
Saddened by the news of Comrade Peter B. Dupr’e’s death. I was honored to have met a WWII Veteran. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you as continue to live out the legacy of your loved one.