Peter A. Karl, Jr., of Utica and Pompano Beach, FL age 88, passed away on June 25, 2011 in Florida. Peter was born in Utica on June 30, 1922 the son of Peter A. Sr. and Gertrude Ryan Karl. Peter graduated from St Michael's College, Toronto, Canada. He then studied to become a Maryknoll missionary but withdrew due to health problems prior to ordination. He then served in the Merchant Marines. Thereafter, Peter embarked on a 61 year career with Northwestern Mutual Life (NML) both as a Special Agent and a General Agent for the Utica Office. He was still working with NML in 2011 despite a retirement party years ago. He married Sydney Maher in 1950; she suffered a major stroke in 1966 and died in 1973. He married Frances DeLoach in 1975 who died in 1994. In 2001, he married Marjorie Allen with whom he shared a great love and devotion over the past ten years. Peter was an extremely devout Catholic as a communicant at both St John's the Evangelist Church, New Hartford and St Gabriel's in Pompano Beach, FL. He was a long participant of the Noctunal Adoration Society, Knights of Columbus, Notre Dame Marian Club, and served as an annual church retreat leader. He used his faith not only to deal with hardships that occurred his life but also provided advice and inspiration to the many people who encountered obstacles in their lives. Peter was extremely active throughout his life as he enjoyed jogging , swimming , and playing tennis with his sons. He would swim for a half hour each day with Marjorie up to the final months of his life; the staff at the Yahnundasis would put up the lap lanes when their car approached the pool. A fond memory of him was when he was in his mid-seventies enjoying nearly every water slide/tube ride at the water amusement park in Old Forge. He had a love for the Adirondacks and the water including sailing on Fourth Lake at Rocky Point in Inlet before its closing. Despite never attending the University of Notre Dame he was an avid fan of the Fighting Irish which was singlehandedly the catalyst for his three sons graduating from that institution. This occurred despite the fact that when he was in his late forties at Rocky Point, a young priest and he went sailing. With Peter at the helm, the boat tipped over into Fourth Lake and this priest from Syracuse, NY, Father Ted Hesburgh, later became the President of ND. Over the years, Peter was extremely active in the community including being the President of the Citizen's Association of Greater Utica which led to the approval of the Oneida County Charter and the establishment in 1963 of the County Executive position. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, three sons and daughters-in-law Peter A. III and wife Debbie Karl of Clinton, NY, Drs Robert and Deanna Karl, New Orleans, LA, and Gregory Karl and wife Beth Bowers of Gravesville, NY and three appreciative stepsons- Jeff Allen of Rome,NY James and Lori Allen of Sauquoit, NY and Todd and Tammy Allen of New Hampshire; 12 grandchildren: P.Adam Karl IV; Christina and Michael Karl; Emily and Hannah Allen;Avery, Kimball, Kailey, Braeden, Zack Allen; Jamie Elizabeth and Alexandra Allen. Also surviving is a sister, Joan Hogenkamp and sister-in-law, Mary Karl. Peter was predeceased by his brother Jack, and sisters Maureen Montano and Mary Louise Cosgrove. The family thanks Dr. Ali Harake of Fort Lauderdale, FL and his nurse Eddie, for the outstanding care of Peter and the unwavering support of Marjorie. "The grace of God brought Peter and I together ten years ago along with our loving blended family. A joyous time for Peter was the sponsoring of me into the Catholic faith. I will thank God every day for the privilege of being Peter Karl's wife. I give you to the Lord, my love." Marjorie. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John's the Evangelist Church in New Hartford on Saturday, July 9th at 9:00AM. As there are no calling hours, the family will available after Mass to receive expressions of condolences. Both family and friends of Peter are also invited to a catered celebration of his life later that day (4:00PM) at the Main Pavillion of the New Hartford Town Park which location on "Boilermaker Saturday" has been an annual event organized by Peter. In lieu of flowers in Peter's memory, donations can be made to the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, PO Box 304, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0304 or the Notre Dame Club of the Mohawk Valley Scholarship Fund c/o 12 Steuben Park, Utica, NY 13501.