James Peter Rector "Pete"

James Peter Rector, "Pete" was born in Syracuse NY - his birthday June 20, 1947. He lived in Manlius NY until 1959 when the family moved to Winter Park, Florida. Peter graduated from Winter Park High School (1965), University of South Florida (1971). Peter’s professional career was a Construction Estimator at Dittmer Architectural Aluminum, Winter Springs, Florida. Special Memories by Nicholas Peter (Son) Dad liked having a hobby farm. On this he enjoyed raising Landrace pigs - His favorite was Boss Hog who was 7 feet long. . Also building things and tinkering on cars. Racing was a favorite thing for him to watch and see in person. When we would go to the hunting camp sometimes we would stop and get a snack from a convenience store. He would always pick out a pastry called bear claws. He also enjoyed talking on the CB radio a lot while driving. Would look to get the best CB radio and antenna for the truck. Would get really involved in talking the CB lingo with truckers and other people on the radio. Even had a bit different persona on it and liked using the handle The Undertaker. His favorite restaurant was a pizza place called Sir Pizza. As a family we went there several times in winter park until it eventually went out of business. Some of the people involved with the restaurant bought the equipment and opened it under Pizza Palace which we would go to until it also went out of business. When Pizza Palace went out of business they gave Pete the table, benches where he always sat. We now use the table and benches. Special Memories by Rhonda Annette (daughter) Dad coming back from the hunting camp Sunday evenings and me running out to get the venison, gravy and green beans and dad saying “nice to see you, too” and me with a full mouth saying, “ Hi dad and thank you”. Our family selecting a Christmas tree on our land and Dad cutting it down. We had family game night playing Clue…. Dad’s first turn would be a guess. Special Memories by Joshua Alexander (Grandson) Grandfather and I went the sports store where he bought me a tackle box, a rod and reel and lots of tackle. We went fishing together. For my birthday (2019) we went fishing out of Haulover Canal. Special Memories by Joy (wife) Pete and Joy met as teachers at Sligh Junior High School, Tampa in 1971. Most of the dating was on the week days because Pete would return to Winter Park to help his father(“Dutch”) with weekly maintenance at the family business, Imperial Laundry. We were married June 23, 1973 in Florida at Temple Terrace Presbyterian Church. Pete and Joy’s first home was Mead Garden Apartments. 1976 Pete and Joy moved to Seminole County, FL. - where they enjoyed raising their two children, working on their land, and building their home. On November 2006 they moved into the house which Pete referred to as “Joy’s Castle” . Pete and Joy were married for 50 wonderful years. Peter is survived by his wife Eloise Joy (Ziegler) Rector, two children Nicholas Peter Rector and Rhonda Annette Rector, grandson Joshua Alexander Rector and sister Linda Lane (Rector) Kulmann. His parents were Earl Byron Rector and Dorothy (Lane) Rector. In Lieu of flowers the family graciously requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in Pete's name.

James Peter Rector "Pete"

June 20, 1947 - January 5, 2024