Peter A. Carino

Peter Carino, PhD, 75, of Westfield, IN, originally from Paterson, NJ, lived a life full of passion, knowledge, and adventure. Born and raised in Paterson, Pete graduated from Eastside High School in 1965. He was always proud of his working-class roots, starting his journey with various labor jobs, including a union job at a textile warehouse, before pursuing his college education.

Pete was a dedicated scholar. He graduated summa cum laude from William Paterson College of New Jersey with a B.A. in English. His love of learning then took him to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where he earned an M.A. in English, and later to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for his Ph.D.

For 28 years, Pete was a professor of English at Indiana State University, where he taught American Literature, Composition, and graduate classes. He also took the reins of the Writing Center, transforming it from a small remedial program into a campus-wide resource, eventually becoming the Director of Writing Programs.

Pete’s contributions to his field went far beyond the classroom. He published college composition textbooks, articles, book reviews, and edited collections, earning several awards along the way. He was also a regular at conferences, giving lectures and presenting papers. His scholarship focused primarily on composition and writing centers, but his love for baseball inspired him to create a course on baseball in literature. He published numerous works on baseball in American literature and culture. His passion for the sport also led him to begin and coordinate the ISU Conference on Baseball in Literature and American Culture, which moved to Middle Tennessee State University and continues today at Ottawa University (KS). In recognition of his scholarly work, Pete was honored with a lifetime pass to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

An active member of the university community, Pete was elected to two terms as President of the Faculty Senate and served on many diverse committees.

Beyond academia, Pete had a deep love for literature, baseball, Italy, intelligent conversation, food, drink, travel, and the arts. He was a devoted fan of the NY Mets, Jets, Colts, Juventus, Sycamores, and Illini football and basketball teams.

His love for travel took him across the U.S. and Europe. Fluent in Italian and proficient in French, Pete had a special connection to Italy, where he spent many extended stays, taught Italian students at the University of Pisa, and American students in the AHA Study Abroad Program at the University of Macerata.

A voracious reader, Pete enjoyed contemporary literature, the classics, and diving into Italian and French literature.

He was predeceased by his parents, Eleanor (Fagan) and Nicholas Carino, and his brothers, Alfonso and Nicholas. He is survived by his wife, Pamala K. Gasway, his beloved dog, Luciano, his Gasway in-laws: Bill (Brazil IN), Richard (Enterprise AL), Pat (Westfield IN), and their spouses. His nieces and nephews include: Nick Carino (Austintown, OH), Chris Carino

(Austintown, OH), Pippen Carino (Highland Park, NJ), Kristen Carino (Jacksonville, FL), Clay Gasway (Avon, IN), Casey Gasway (Ava, MO), Caleb Gasway (Seminole, FL), Natalie Shonk (Brazil, IN), and Christi Olson (Yucca Valley, CA). He also leaves behind several great and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as many close friends and former students.

In Pete’s memory, please consider a donation to the Indiana Donor Network Foundation, Paws and Think (Indianapolis), or your local public library.

Friends are invited to a celebration of Pete’s life at the Vigo County History Center in Terre Haute on Friday, September 20, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., with a program starting at 1:30 p.m. A cash bar and light finger foods will follow the program. At a later date, Pete’s ashes will be spread off the shore in New Jersey.