Edward E. "Pete" Brewer, 93, of Portsmouth, passed away peacefully on August 3rd, 2015 in the Chesapeake home of a cherished family friend while under hospice care.
Pete was born on April 9th, 1922 in Portsmouth, VA, the son of the late James Edward Brewer and Elizabeth Ann Harris. Pete enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country from July 1942 through January 1946 serving on the USS ROCKAWAY, USS SHANGRI-LA, and USS CABOT during World War II. In addition, he served 18 months of military service during the Korean Conflict. Following the war, Pete worked as a Boilermaker Helper at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth. He retired with a distinguished career in the Civil Service after 39 years as an Aircraft Electrician and Production Controller at the Naval Air Rework Facility, Norfolk. Pete enjoyed telling stories of his career in the Navy and he treasured the friends he made along the way.
Pete was a lifelong Master Mason at Portsmouth Lodge No. 100 and a member of the Moose Lodge No. 898. Pete was predeceased by his wife, Emily Louise Fulcher Brewer; daughters, Kara Brewer Allen and Shelby Stanczyk. He is also predeceased by a sister, Violet "Virginia" Gould. He is survived by three grandchildren, Melissa, Benjamin and Shannon; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, June Stewart; sons-in-law, David Allen and Joe Stanczyk; and a niece and four nephews. Special thanks to his nephews and their wives, Ronnie & Martha Gould and Gary & Cindy Gould, for their loving care and visits with Pete during his illness. Pete was blessed to have two close friends, Inez Brittingham and Kim Galbreath caring for him over the past few years when he could no longer care for himself.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2015 in Olive Branch Cemetery by Pastor Jerry Greco. The service will also include the burial of the cremated remains of his daughter, Kara Brewer Allen who passed away on December 26, 2013 in Asheville, N.C. Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth, is handling the arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.co