John Peter Schardien

John Peter (Pete) Schardien, aged 79, born in Elizabeth, NJ to proud parents George William Schardien and Florence Violet nee Ciemniecki. He has two surviving sisters Carol McFaul of Buffalo, NY and Susan Berntson of Columbus, Oh. His wife Donna Marie Schardien of 34 years predeceased him in 2018 and wife Susan Dorothy Fisher of 6 years predeceased him in 1981. He, in turn was the proud father of John Peter Schardien, Jr and his wife Elaine of Lavallette, NJ, Susan Melissa Foltz and her husband Jefre of Jackson, NJ, David Bradford Schardien and his wife Joni of Loganville, Georgia and Steven Michael Schardien and his husband Jason Meggs of Shallotte, NC; his eight grandchildren Luke Cuccurullo, Kayla Schardien, Justin Foltz, Nicole Foltz, John Bradford (JB) Schardien, Caroline Schardien, Savannah Schardien, Kennedy Schardien and his great-grandson Zachary Foltz.

For 15 years, Pete and Donna owned and operated All County Services in Belville, NC. Before that he owned and operated the Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning Service Company in New Bern, NC. Pete grew up in Breton Woods, NJ and attended St. Peter’s Parochial school in Point Pleasant, NJ, followed by Brick High School in Brick Township, NJ graduating in 1961. He attended Monmouth College while working with his father at the Breton Woods Lumber Company. He joined the New Jersey Bell Telephone company in 1963 where he started as a lineman, transferring to Southern Bell Telephone Company in Ft. Lauderdale, FL where he worked 14 years, leaving as the Marketing Manager for PBX systems. He further attended both Rider College in Lawrenceville, NJ for coursework in Business Administration in 1968 and took Electrical Engineering classes at the University of South Florida in 1980.

Living for over 30 years in South Florida, Pete loved the outdoors and racing. He was always happiest, however, when he was on his boat. Whether it be any one of his power boats or sail boats, he absolutely loved being on the water. For many years he would take long weekends with his family and drive down to the Florida Keys to go fishing and snorkeling. He always made it special for his children. Later on he sailed. After the loss of his wife Susan, Pete embarked on a long voyage of self-discovery with his new wife Donna Marie aboard his sailboat “Sunshine.” Several times, he took his younger children and sailed from South Florida, up the coast of the United States to Bar Harbor, Maine. It was on the water where Pete was truly at peace.

Once the grandchildren arrived, however, he and Donna Marie could always be counted on to visit and often. To watch school plays, sporting events, they’d attend birthdays, or take them to the amusement park; Grandparents Schardien reveled in the opportunity to enjoy their extending family. As each little one came, Pete and Donna were there to welcome them into the family. Pete loved his racing too. He drag raced a 1956 Chevrolet which he built himself and raced at the Old Bridge Township (Englishtown) Raceway in Englishtown, NJ when he was in his late teens through his early 20’s. His competitive nature he passed on to his children too, Pete Jr. drag races antique cars, daughter Melissa barrel races horses, son David runs marathons and son Steven shares in his love of NASCAR.

A celebration of life, for both Pete and Donna Marie Schardien, will be held at a later date at the Belville Town Hall 63 River Road SE. Belville, NC 28451. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to either the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer research organization or the American Cancer Society.

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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 29403 910-791-9099.