Peter A. Palie, CE ’72, of Mansfield passed away peacefully at his home on April 15, 2009, surrounded by his loving family.
Peter was a hard worker and his efforts were often geared to helping those around him. He loved working with his hands and making things from scratch. Along with teaching at Wentworth for 22 years, he owned his own construction company, worked at Stop & Shop for 20 years full- and part-time, and served 17-and-a-half years in the Army National Guard. Despite battling complications of Multiple Sclerosis for 23 years, Peter maintained a positive outlook on life. Colleagues can even recall him teaching surveying classes in a wheelchair as his condition began to worsen.
John Heinstadt, vice president for business and finance, friend, and colleague, remembers Peter fondly: “He is one of the most energetic people I have ever seen, and he could get anything done. He was always a huge supporter of Wentworth and a great professor.”
He is survived by his loving wife Barbara and his children, Carolyn, BENV ’99, and her husband Jean Sicard, EEC ’98; Deborah and her husband Michael Webber; and Christopher, BELM ’05, and his wife Victoria. He has four grandchildren, Trista, Tatiana, Lucas, and Nathan. In addition, he leaves behind four siblings.
While Peter will be missed by his family, friends, and colleagues, his memories still live on.
