Peter Dominic Rigoni

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. - Peter Dominic Rigoni, 86, of Iron Mountain and formerly of White Pine, passed away on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain.

Peter was born on March 29, 1936, in Ironwood, son of the late Dominic and Annette Rigoni. Peter married the love of his life, Geri (Powell) Rigoni, on Oct. 9, 1965.

Peter graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood, in 1954. After high school he worked as a seaman on the Great Lakes before joining the U.S. Army where he served in Korea. After being honorably discharged, he attended Gogebic Community College and the University of Wisconsin-Superior, graduating in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. He went on to obtain his master's degree in education from Northern Michigan University in 1969. He worked for one year for the Milwaukee Public School System. He then took a job working for the White Pine School District, where he taught, coached, and was an administrator, retiring in 1993. He was also a basketball official for 34 years where he shared many memorable times with his partner, John Gravier. Their stories of being escorted out of gyms, traveling through snowstorms, and many stops on the way home were priceless.

Peter and Geri resided in White Pine for 56 years where they raised their daughters and were extremely active members in the community. Peter was a member of the White Pine Lions Club, American Legion Post 462, White Pine Industrial Committee, Renaissance Committee, Gogebic Range Beagle Club, V.F.W.-Wakefield, Piave Club-Ironwood, and the White Pine Green Thumbs. In addition to being an educator, coach and referee, Peter had a passion for politics and was the Carp Lake Township supervisor and tax assessor from 1982 to 2000.

Peter was an avid hunter and loved hunting at his camp that he shared with his former student and dear friend, Mark Pierpont. He later hunted and bagged many monstrous bucks at his best friend's, Dave Koski, family camp in Wakefield. Peter was a master fisherman who loved to steelhead fish in the Big Iron River and fish for walleyes in Lake Gogebic. He had many fishing buddies over the years who all were special to him. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his son-in-law, Dale, and the son that he never had, Mark Mielcarek. During retirement, Peter and Geri camped for years at Lake Gogebic, enjoying some of their best years together and making wonderful lifelong friends and memories.

Peter was an active and present grandfather attending their sporting events and activities. Nothing brought him more joy than watching them on the field, court and rink.

Peter is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Geri (Powell) Rigoni, who lovingly cared for him so he could be at home as long as possible; his daughters whom he adored, Maria (Curt) Kohls, Donna (Dale) Ward and Tricia (Paul) Meneguzzo; his grandchildren whom he was so proud of, Hillari (Corey) Runsat, Tony (Kameron) Ward, Nicholas Woosmann, Dylan Woosmann, Noah Woosmann, Molly (Collin) Hirthe, Abby Meneguzzo and Michael Meneguzzo; his loving sister, Donna Barto; his many special cousins, his Powell in-laws, nieces, and nephews who were so dear to him; and lastly, his greatest joys in his final year, his three great-grandchildren, Grayson and Hayden Hirthe and Harper Runsat.

Peter is preceded in death by his parents, Dominic and Annette Rigoni; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Armond and Nellie Powell; numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws; nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends.

We would like to thank Rhonda and Jayde from Arms of Angels and the hospice nurses at the V.A. for their loving care.

A visitation for Peter will take place on Thursday, March 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. A service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Father Mike Woempner officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family in Peter's memory or local athletic organizations.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Peter Dominic Rigoni online at ernashfuneralhomes.com

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.