Peter Anthony Zenes passed away Sunday afternoon, March 8, 2009, at the age of 89 from a respiratory illness and heart failure. He was born Jan. 18, 1920 in McKeansburg (Schuykill County), Penn., the youngest of seven half brothers and sisters. In Nov. 19, 1949, he married Stella Elizabeth Motuck from Minersville, Penn., and they moved to Western Washington. For most of his life he worked as a contractor building homes, buildings and boats.

During World War II he served as a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot in the 754th Squadron of the 8th Army Air Force at Horsham St. Faith, England, in 1944. He was assigned to one of the lead aircrews of the 96th Bombard Wing as a control pilot. Pete completed 36 combat missions over Europe, and received the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross, with Clusters. Following the war, he was stationed at Eglin Field, Fla., where he served as an engineering development pilot.

For close to two decades, he was and active USAF Reserve pilot with the 7th TCS of the 62nd Airlife Wing, McChord AFB, Wash., where he flew C-124 Globemaster cargo aircraft. He served in South Vietnam flying cargo missions. He retired from the USAF as a lieutenant colonel.

Stella and Pete lived overlooking Penn Cove since 1983. He was a member of Oak Harbor VFW Post 7392.