Obituary of Peter Furno

Peter H. Furno, age 94, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2014 at the Garden Plaza of Valley View Assisted Living in Boise, ID. He was born in Chicago, IL on February 9, 1920 to Dr. Peter and Victoria Furno. Five years later his brother, Ronald, joined the family. Peter graduated from High School in Chicago and went to college at the University of Illinois and graduated in 1942 with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences. Peter married his campus sweetheart Betty Lou Crane on May 8, 1943 in Kirksville, Missouri while on leave from World War II. They were married for 42 years before her passing in 1985. Peter was in World War II and the Korean War as a Lieutenant in the Army. After moving to Idaho he joined the Idaho Air National Guard and retired as Lt. Colonel from the United States Air Force Reserve. He had a total of 38 years in the service. He was VERY proud of his military career. In 1945 he and Betty moved to Boise for Betty to start her residency as an Osteopath. Peter worked for 9 years at KIDO Radio where he had the nickname "Peter Plink". He then went on to work at KGEM Radio. He also worked for Riley Atkinson Food Brokerage and then the Idaho Department of Law Enforcement as Assistant State Traffic Director. Starting in 1961 he worked for the State of Idaho, Department of Employment, in Public Information for the next 20 years until his retirement. His daughter Judy was born in 1955 and he was always willing to be part of any activities she was in; such as East Junior High PTA President, Associate Guardian on Bethel #3 and attending many musical events and school activities. After Judy married and moved to Hagerman he loved going there to see his grandchildren and their activities and then his great-grandchildren. Peter enjoyed playing the drums and was in different bands and even at age 93 he LOVED playing with the Signature Sound Band thanks to Chuck Faylor who is the General Manager of Garden Plaza of Valley View. Last spring KBOI Channel 2 did a special about Peter and his drumming with Arthur Houle. Peter enjoyed all of his Masonic affiliations. He was a lifetime member of Capital City Lodge #93, A.F. & A.M., Scottish Rite Bodies, and the El Korah Shrine Temple. Peter was a 33rd Degree Mason and served Emeritus in many positions, including Tyler Emeritus, Chaplain Emeritus, and Drummer Emeritus in the El Korah Shrine Band. He was also active in the Boise Chapter of DeMolay and Job's Daughters. Peter was also a member of Idaho Public Employees Associations and American Legion of Idaho John Regan Post #2. He was active in the Episcopal Church as a licensed Lay Reader and Eucharistic Visitor at the St. Michael's and All Saints Church. He LOVED his Church family. He is survived by his daughter Judy (Layne) Osborne of Hagerman, ID, his grandchildren: Curt (Megan) Osborne, children Tyler and Riann of Eagle, Carrie (Joe) Chizum, children Addi and Ava of Hagerman, his nephew Steve (Peggy) Furno of Ridgefield, WA, sister-in-law Gloria Furno of Meridian and many - many friends he has made throughout his 94 years. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents, brother and nephew. A SPECIAL thanks to Garden Plaza of Valley View for the last 4 years which he enjoyed, St. Al's Hospice and Dean Hagerman --a true friend to Peter. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 2, 2014 at 11:00 AM at All Saints Episcopal Church, 704 S. Latah. Lunch will follow and the burial will be at 2:30pm at Dry Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Peter's memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com.