February 23, 1958 �" March 17, 2015
Peter James Atanasio died on March 17, 2015 in San Francisco after a brief battle with cancer. He was 57. Born February 23rd, 1958 in Troy, NY, Peter was the second of five brothers. In the late 70s, he lived in Tampa, FL, where he worked as a DJ in local dance clubs. After returning to New York, Peter met his true love and partner of 35 years, Lance Henderson. Together they made their way to Boston and in 1982 to San Francisco.
For eight years Peter managed the trading floor at the Pacific Stock Exchange, where he was loved and respected by his colleagues and staff. To a gritty and stressful work environment, Peter brought class, dignity and warmth, as he would continue to do throughout his life, whatever the situation.
Peter left the Stock Exchange in 1991 at the height of the AIDS epidemic to begin volunteering at the AIDS Emergency Fund, which provides direct services to those most in need. He soon became one of their first employees, managing volunteers, client services and directly improving the lives of thousands of people living with AIDS for over a decade.
In 2004 Peter added to his volunteer experience by working in the kitchen of Most Holy Redeemer Church in the Castro for their Wednesday Night Suppers. He regularly arrived early to prepare food and stayed late to clean up.
In 2008 Peter fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a father when he and Lance welcomed twins Alison and Samuel Henderson Atanasio into the world. Becoming a dad was a long-awaited and proud achievement for Peter and he showed the same energy and passion for parenting that he did in all other aspects of his life.
Another dream was realized when on November 22, 2013 Peter and Lance were married at San Francisco City Hall.
Peter was an easy friend, with adults and children alike finding him charming, helpful and fun to be around. He was always one of the best dressed anywhere he went, and also one of the kindest and most considerate.
He loved hosting and meeting with friends, traveling the world, and seeing movies and shows, but his home, gardens and most of all, his family, were his greatest passions. Peter had ceaseless energy and natural talent for making his home beautiful and welcoming, and assuring that his children were happy and well loved.
Peter is survived by his husband Lance, son Samuel and daughter Alison, his parents Mary and Bob Dalpe, his brothers Bob Dalpe, Mark Dalpe and Joe Atanasio and Joe’s wife Maria, his sister- and brother-in-law Charlie and Lori McDaniel and many nieces and nephews, including Alex, Alicia, Anna, Colin, Grace, Joey, Kenika, Luis and Maddie, and dozens of close friends who made up his San Francisco and East Bay families. He was predeceased by his brother Sam Atanasio in 1988.
A memorial to his life will be held on Saturday, April 25th at the AIDS Memorial Grove at 1:00 p.m. Donations in Peter’s memory can be sent to the AIDS Emergency Fund where Peter volunteered and worked or to the AIDS Memorial Grove where a permanent tribute is planned in Peter’s memory.
Peter will always be remembered as a beautiful man with a kind heart, sharp wit and willingness to slap a friend into reason whenever needed.