Peter A. Tamulonis

Peter A. Tamulonis

Peter Alphonse Tamulonis, 93, passed away on November 6, 2017, in Noblesville, Indiana after a brief illness.  He was born on May 9, 1924 to Peter C. and Antosia Tamulonis, who had emigrated from Lithuania.  He grew up in Nashua, New Hampshire and graduated from Nashua High School in 1942.   After graduation Peter enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  During World War II, he proudly served on the USS Block Island, CVE 21, an escort carrier that operated in the North Atlantic. The ship was torpedoed off the Canary Islands by an enemy submarine on May 29, 1944, and Peter was one of 951 crewmen rescued after its sinking.  He was honorably discharged in 1945 with the rank of AOM2C.

After the war, Peter met the love of his life, Claire LeBlanc.  They married in 1949 and continued to reside in New Hampshire as their family grew with the birth of four sons.  Peter worked as an electrician.  In 1968, they followed a number of other family members who had relocated to Florida.  Their home in Miami became the central gathering place for many family dinners, poker games, and football viewing.  In 1982, Peter and Claire moved to Indianapolis to be near the family of their oldest son.  Peter joined the electrical staff at Butler University, retiring in 1989.   After Claire passed away in 2007, “Grandpa Peter” lived with and continued to share in the upbringing of his grandchildren.  He was always ready for a good meal, a game of cards, or a visit to a casino.  He particularly enjoyed attending reunions with other USS Block Island survivors, as well as 4^th of July Symphony on the Prairie concerts.  In 2008 he fulfilled a lifelong dream when he traveled to Lithuania with his grandson Nathan, searching for and discovering family roots and relations.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 58 years, Claire; his oldest son Peter G. Tamulonis; and three grandsons.  He is survived by grandson Peter J. (Kara) Tamulonis of Carmel, IN and their daughters Vivian and Georgia; granddaughter Deborah (Joel) Lancaster of Sydney, Australia; granddaughter Jessica Tamulonis of Milwaukee, WI; and grandson Nathan Tamulonis of St. Petersburg, FL, as well as daughter-in-law Rhonda Tamulonis of Carmel, IN.  Also surviving are sons David and Joseph (Joann) Tamulonis in Florida; son Paul in Maine, and other grandchildren, family, and friends whose lives he touched over the years.

Visitation will begin at 9:45 AM in the Wake Chapel at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 10655 Haverstick Road, Carmel, IN 46033, followed by funeral mass in the Day Chapel at 10:30 AM.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.flannerbuchanan.com.  Arrangements were entrusted to Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.