 GIANNETTINO, PETER (PETE) JOSEPH Peter (Pete) Joseph Giannettino, devoted husband and father, died April 5, 2014, in Boise, Idaho. He was 90 years old. Born July 9, 1923, in New York, N.Y., Pete was a longtime respected journalist in Albuquerque. He was also a talented woodcarver, gardener and avid birder. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maggie; his daughters, Susan Giannettino of Boise and Judy Giannettino of Albuquerque and their families; sisters Ruby Buck of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Jeanne Giannettino of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Peter Thomas Giannettino; his parents, Thomas and Pauline Giannettino; sister Kay Stimson; and brother Tommy Giannettino. Pete joined the U.S. Navy after graduating high school and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II on submarines, including the USS Picuda. After being honorably discharged, he moved to Albuquerque to attend college. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1949 with a degree in journalism and began work at The Albuquerque Tribune. His journalism career included stints at newspapers in California and Deming before he returned to The Tribune, where he was at various times a court reporter, sportswriter, copy editor and city editor. He retired from The Tribune in 1988. Known for his attention to detail and his dry wit, Pete was a man of few words who was respected by all who knew him well. He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, watching college sports, tending to his meticulously landscaped backyard and garden, reading and photography. He also had a lifelong love for learning, which is one of the greatest gifts he gave his children. In his late 60s, he took up the guitar and harmonica, and in his 80s enrolled in college Spanish classes. His true passion was bird carving. He enjoyed fly-fishing and tied flies - not because he loved to catch fish but because he loved the craft and the aesthetic of it all. His longest-lasting and most cherished love was for his wife, the former Marguerite Olsen. The couple met at UNM and married shortly thereafter. They shared more than six decades together. In retirement, they attended more than 50 Elderhostels throughout the country. In accordance with Pete's wishes, no services are planned. For those wanting to memorialize Pete, his family suggests a donation in his name to the Peregrine Fund, a bird conservation fund based in Boise, which works to save endangered birds of prey species. To make a donation, see the website at: www.peregrinefund.org Pete's wife and daughters express great appreciation for Legacy Hospice's dedicated care and many thanks to his extended family of caregivers in Boise, including Keisha, Carrie, Rasim, Rob and especially Darian, as well as Barbara Johnstad of Cedar Crest, and Devon Walz of Albuquerque for their assistance during the past couple of years.
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