Peter David Greenberg was born on April 24, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York to Lena and Abraham Greenberg. He died on May 13, 2025, in the home of his loving son, Josh and daughter (in-law) Christie Greenberg. He married his beloved wife, Leta, on December 26, 1966 after the two met on a blind date. A man of the sea, Grandpa Pete, as his five grandsons called him, was a proud graduate of the United States Naval Academy, class of 1964. A Naval officer, he served his country as a Lieutenant on a destroyer during the Vietnam conflict before embarking on his career as a mechanical engineer, a role he relished until his retirement from Philip Morris (Altria) at the age of 62.
Peter made his home in Richmond, Virginia, a city he loved, where he tended his azaleas, grew tomatoes, and cared for his magnolia seedling until it grew so tall it blocked the view from his bedroom window. He loved watching sports with his wife and family, and he was a die-hard Navy fan till the end, although he often rooted just as hard for the Virginia Tech Hokies. He enjoyed his nightly scotch on a screened in porch overlooking the woods off of Raintree Drive. He was incredibly intelligent, passionate about learning, read daily and even wrote poetry. He enjoyed jazz and classical music as well as some of classic rock’s greatest bands. Once his son and daughter moved away and on to lives of their own, he and Leta enjoyed many happy years together, attending live theater, often traveling to visit their children’s families, taking cruises and volunteering for Henrico Doctors Hospital. A devoted family man and proud Grandpa to his five grandsons, Pete was known for unexpected acts of kindness, like writing inspirational letters to his children and grandchildren to share the wisdom of the sea when they met a milestone; for his terrific sense of humor (his sons- and daughter-in-law all described him as “the funniest man they’d ever met); and his love of all things related to the life on the sea.
Peter and Leta moved to Orlando, Florida in 2023 to be closer to Josh and Christie, where he was a resident of Watercrest Winter Park Community until he became ill in April, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Leta (Winter Park, FL); his son, Josh (Orlando, FL), daughter-of-the-heart Christie (Orlando, FL); their sons Samuel (Tallahassee, FL) and Benjamin (Orlando and Grenada for Veterinary School); his daughter, Rebecca (Saint Peter, MN) and children Cyrus Fremo (Saint Peter, MN), Ellet Taylor (North Royalton, OH) and Winston Taylor (Kansas City, MO); his sister, Ellen Koeppel (Long Island, NY), brother-in-law, Sheldon Fogel (Beverly Hills, CA), and many friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lena and Abe Greenberg, his brother, Michael Greenberg, and other beloved family members.
The family wishes to thank the staff and residents of the Watercrest Community in Winter Park, Florida; the staff, especially the Oncology and ER nurses and CNAs at AdventHealth, Orlando, Rollins, and the caring nurses of VITAS Hospice Care.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would request donations to the United States Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, MD and/or the American Cancer Society.
Funeral Service for Lt. Greenberg will be held Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel (835 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, FL) with Rabbi Arnold Siegel of Jewish Family Services officiating. Interment will military honors will be Monday, May 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery (5525 US 1, Mims, FL). May he rest in peace and may his memory always be a blessing.
Service entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.
