Obituary of Peter N. Matsoukas

Many are the moments that we shared experiences with Peter, from “war stories” as Legal Aid colleagues, to births and then weddings. Our friendship has been passed down , especially between Greg and our son from before their days together at Poly Prep. But perhaps the greatest impact is the day Peter asked me “does your girl friend like hockey”. Led to her first game, our sharing season tickets and our son following a career in sports journalism. When I emailed an old Legal Aid colleague about Peter’s passing he remarked about the great smile Peter always gave people. Let us always remember that smile, and the wonderful person behind it

Peter is remembered as a conscientious and serious individual. His passion was his family. His soulmate for fifty four years is Amelia. She took extraordinary care of him during his declining years. His legacy is his sons Peter and Gregory and their wives Katie and Agnes and hdi grandchildren John,Leo and Monte. He enjoyed playing golf. He was an avid baseball,hockey,football fan. He and Amelia made a difference in the life of the community as advocates of the preservation of the Legal Aid Society when it was threatened by political leadership in the 1980's. He was a compassionate attorney defending the most vulnerable members of the community. He lived a full and exemplary life. May his memory be eternal.

FRANK AND I WERE RELATED TO PETER, HE IS OUR BROTHER-IN LAW AND MY SISTER AMELIAS HUSBAND. WE ALWAYS WERE HAPPY TOGETHER NEVER A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND WE MISS HIM AND WILL ALWAYS MISS AND LOVE HIM DEARLY. HE WAS A GOOD SOUL AND I WILL PRAY FOR HIM AS LONG AS I LIVE DEAR BROTHER IN-LAW! CONNIE AND FRANK

Peter was always there with legal advice for the family and general advice as a friend and relative. He will be missed. Peter has a great family that will really miss him.

Peter was a terrific lawyer, and used his wonderful sense of humor in the courtroom before the Judges to help his clients. He was a devoted husband and father as he and Amelia were always doing things together. I remeber a case that Peter helped me with; ideas for some cross examination. My heart goes out to Amelia and his family. Just seeing his name brought back a smile. A life well lived

What sad news. He was a great attorney and always made me smile

Peter was great and had such a great sense of humor. He was so helpful to me when I was starting out. I remember a particularly difficult case he had and he put so much effort into helping his client. Good memories of a great person and lawyer

A very good guy. A sad day indeed

A special relationship is so hard to find. That became a reality when Marilyn and I met Peter and Amelia at a New York Ranger 1980 Hockey game at the end of the season; they were already subscribers and we had just started. Peter and I were very devoted fans. He often took his son Peter who sat directly in front of me. This developed into quite a friendship over the years; nearly 40 years. Besides Golf and Hockey Peter got me involved into enjoying Jazz and also got Marilyn and me to become members of the Roundabout Theater. We would see nearly all their plays/revivals and had dinner first and then the show. We really looked forward to our yearly trips to their cozy home in Roxbury, N.Y. where Peter and I would play several Courses. They were great hosts and we always manage to explore that area and have fulfilling week ends. Peter and Amelia have a lot to be proud of; their sons Peter and Gregory, Daughters-in-law Katie and Agnes and their Grand Children. He would speak about all of them quite often , and we knew he loved and was devoted to his family. Marilyn and I will miss Peter so much; he meant a lot to us. He was an adviser, friend and a person who cared and would help you out. He and Amelia were an extended part of our family. He made me laugh when I needed a laugh. A great sense of humor. The last several months must have been very trying for the Matsoukas family but Peter is in a far better place. May the warmth of his memory be in our hearts forever. Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Amelia, Peter, Gregory and the entire Matsoukas family. Love Mariln & Larry May

I was deeply saddened by the passing of my fraternity brother, Peter "Pete" Matsoukas. He was always a warm and generous friend and classmate and, along with his sidekick, Bill Scott, and others, taught us a little bit of greek and kept us all laughing! A great man-he will never be forgotten!

Peter was one of my best friends. He was best man at my wedding more than 50 years ago. My wife Carol and I maintained a close relationship with Peter and Amelia over the past 50 years. We saw each other quite a bit. I will never forget his wit, sense of humor and terrific personality. He made you feel better just being around him. One of my fondest memories will always be the fillabusters he, Bill Scott and I would put on at fraternity meetings. Peter you will be deeply missed. RIP good buddy.

Peter and I were fraternity brothers at Rutgers University and graduates from Fordham Law School. Afterwards we frequently met in the Manhattan Criminal Court Building where we sought to achieve some measure of justice for our respective clients; Peter as a Legal Aid defense lawyer and I as an assistant district attorney. We were never adversaries but always friends and brothers. I’ll always remember his laughter and good cheer.

So many wonderful memories from the Rutgers years— the Bishop dorms 1963-1964 with Peter, Bill Scott and Ron Pfister; Phi Sig at 40 Hardenberg St 1964-1966 all the parties, games and high jinks with Peter leading the way for the greatest bunch of brothers; and the later years with Scudiery’s Super Bowl parties and a host of other celebrations and get togethers. So much to be thankful for. Rest in peace my friend.

Our son Todd and "little" Peter have been friends since the first grade. Early on they played soccer in the Manhattan Kickers soccer league. One year big Peter and I coached their team. During one game the players on both teams had formed what looked like a rugby scrum . It was at that point that Peter shouted "kick the ball not each other." I thought it hilarious then and no less so now. Deborah joins me in extending our condolences to Amelia, Peter and Greg

Amelia, Peter and Greg, my heart goes out to you and I offer my deepest condolences. “Big Peter” was a great man and big influence on me in my childhood. I will never forget and always cherish my time with him at our weekends in Roxbury, interesting and very fun times at rangers games and nyc driving lessons that will always standout. He was sepulcher a caring and devoted father to his boys and clearly great family man. His countless hours on the ball fields be it for baseball or soccer have always stuck with me as well as the spelling drills at your house. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. I am truly so sorry for your loss. Todd

I will miss my best bud Peter till the day I die. Wonderful memories growing up together in Jersey City. Peter was loved by all. Class President in Snyder High School , he was my buddy , mentor, pal and Best Man at my wedding. Rest In Peace, brother, veteran, Inspiration to all the people you've met in this world. Till we meet again, in Heaven.

Peter and I kept in touch after college because of our mutual occupations as attorneys across the Hudson River from each other. If I had clients that needed a New York attorney I would send them to Peter and he would send clients who needed New Jersey representation to me. He was always honest, extremely professional, capable and competent in his representation of my clients. I became a Brother in the Phi Sigma Delta fraternity after Peter and as soon as I started to pledge and then became a brother I immediately realized that Peter Matsoukas was a very important member of the fraternity. He was a mainstay of the brotherhood and a respected, valuable, significant and well-liked member of the fraternity, as was evidenced by the outpouring of condolences, sadness and sorrow for his passing from his fraternity brothers and the sincere expression of their sadness and wonderful memories of Peter.