Heaven’s gates opened on Feb. 28, 2022, to welcome our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Peter Charles Serdienis, 70, of Altadena. Born in Kingston, New York, on March 6, 1951, to parents who had just fled Latvia from political and religious persecution and sought asylum in the United States.
Peter was the youngest of four children (three surviving) to the late Karl and Maria Serdienis. His early years were spent horseback riding, teasing his two older sisters, Karla and Agida, and playing “Cowboys and Indians” in the nearby hillsides. His parents instilled in him an unwavering faith in God, that no matter what adversities or hardships you faced in life, you can rest in Him to carry all of your burdens. Peter was a man of absolute faith in God and His one and only son, Jesus Christ, and imparted that same love and faith in his daughters and all he met.
Affectionately known in his later years as “Uncle Pete” or “Papa Pete” by his family, grandchildren and friends, Peter truly embodied a loving “father figure” to all. He consistently showed up for everyone in support, treating anyone as if they were family to him. Peter devoted years on the sidelines of his daughter’s soccer and volleyball games, cheer competitions and, later, the games of his beloved grandchildren, never missing a game. “Papa Pete” would always be there for them, with a box of doughnuts and a smile to cheer them on.
Peter devoted 40 years of diligent work to the Metro Transit Authority, as the Stops & Zones Maintenance Manager. He was the epitome of reliability, steadfast strength, wisdom and hard work. He provided for his daughters as a single parent, sacrificing many of his own needs and wants so they had a good education and solid foundation in life. At work, he was known to listen to the needs of the people he served and did whatever necessary to get the job done right.
Outside of work, Peter always knew how to have a good time. His favorite thing was bringing family and friends together at his house after church for a BBQ and pool day. He took his daughters on many cross-country road trips in his Ford F-250 pick-up truck, with a trailer hitched on the back, listening to Garth Brook’s “Thunder Rolls,” driving the long mountainous highways. Peter’s love for adventure, the great outdoors, this beautiful country, for God, his family and friends were instilled into his daughters and will live on through them as his legacy forever.
Peter is reunited in heaven with his parents Karl and Maria Serdienis, his little brother Lars Serdienis, and his brother-in-law, Bill Chitty. Left to treasure a legacy of beautiful memories are his daughters, Jennifer Serdienis and Sarah (Serdienis) Betzler; sisters, Agida Chitty and Karla Van Valkenburgh; and three grandchildren, Peter, Richard, and Holland Betzler.
A funeral celebrating the life of Peter C. Serdienis will be held March 19, 2022, 10 a.m. at his longtime “church home,” Lake Avenue Church 393 N. Lake Ave. The family will receive close friends and family members at a private reception later in the day.
In lieu of flowers, Peter would want us to support the veterans who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy in our country every day. He never wavered in his patriotism and had a deep respect for our veterans’ sacrifices. In Peter’s honor, please consider a donation to The Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit our Dad loved and supported.
