FRAMINGHAM: Peter Alinskas, 98, (April 6, 1917 – May 6, 2015) died peacefully on May 6, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Manor, the skilled nursing facility in Framingham where he had been a resident for the past two years.
Peter was born on April 6, 1917 in Westfield. He was the son of Simon Alinskas and Justina (Lucy) Sabonis. He joined the U.S. Army in 1940 and was stationed at Scofield Barracks in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941. He later saw action in the Ardennes Counteroffensive conducted toward the end of World War II in Europe. This fight was also referred to in the press as the “Battle of the Bulge”.
He was employed for many years as a machinist at Smith & Wesson in East Springfield before retiring in 1982. Peter’s first wife, Irene Cavanaugh, died in 1974. In 1981, he married Margaret (Peg) Siska, whose husband Fred died in 1973. Peter and Peg moved to North Falmouth, MA in 1982 and returned to live at The American Inn in Southwick in 2004.
Peter was humble, hard-working, kind, and loving; he relished spending time with his family. He enjoyed travel and gardening, and was known for preparing lobsters on the grill and for his card playing prowess.
He leaves behind his beloved family: stepsons William Siska of Springfield, John Siska and his wife Lynn of Amherst, NH, and stepdaughter Nancy Siska and her husband Roger Stern of Wellesley. He was a loving grandfather to Matthew Siska and his wife Stephany of Amherst, NH and Shannon Stern of Brighton. His great grandchildren include Mailey and Brynn Siska of Amherst, NH. Peter was a caring grandfather to his extended grandchildren, Eric Schadler of PeterboroughNH, and Scott Schadler and his son Milo of Putney, VT. He also leaves his nephews, Michael Olinski and his wife Catie of Middletown, CT; David Olinski and his wife Christine of Jacksonville, FL; Vincent Olinski and John Olinski and his wife Leighann of Westfield; Christopher Olinski and his wife Brenda of Becket; Patricia Popielarczyk and Geraldine Olinski of Westfield; Kenneth Olinski of East Longmeadow; Karen Olinski Smith of West Springfield; and Barbara Lally of Florida.
Peter was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield, Mass where a funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 16th, at 10:30 am. Calling hours will be held at The Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main Street, Westfield. Mass., from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 15th. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Mary’s Development Fund or to the charity of one’s choice.
