Peter B. Cymbalist, 80, passed away on Aug. 18, 2025, at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.
Pete was born on July 4, 1945, in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, to Leonard Cymbalist and Joyce Masthenton.
Pete graduated from high school on Long Island and joined the U.S. Navy in which he served until 1968, including serving on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, the USS Richard E. Byrd, and the USS Forrestal – surviving the deadly fire in 1967. After the Navy, he started his career as an engineer and went on to work at the Nassau County Medical Center, retiring as Chief Plant Engineer in 1997. After retiring, Pete and his wife Sue left Massapequa in January 1998 and began their new life in Walton.
Pete married the love of his life, Sue Cymbalist, on July 12, 1986, on Long Island, and they were married for 37 years.
Pete was best known for his odd but lovable sense of humor. It was hard to take at times, but he wouldn’t have been Pete without all the jokes, and we loved him for it. It made Pete, Pete. He also loved reading, working on his BMW motorcycles, and walking his dogs throughout the years. Pete was an avid dog lover and was part of a dog-walking group of friend that he loved to meet up with the past several years. Pete also loved cooking, and everyone’s favorite dishes were his roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and his “pinickel burgers” (aka crepes/pancakes). They were the best!
Pete is survived by his brother Michael Cymbalist (Mary) of Millersville, Maryland, and sister Valerie Tarrant of Copenhagen; daughter Deborah Currie (Jim) of Concord, North Carolina; son Adam Schneider (Catherine) of Bayport, and grandchildren Ella Currie, Bennett Schneider, and Laura Schneider. He is also survived by his sweet dog, Remmy.
Pete is preceded in death by his beloved wife Sue Cymbalist, and his parents Leonard and Joyce Cymbalist.
Calling hours will be held at the Courtney Funeral Home in Walton on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 11-12 p.m. with a service at 12 with Pastor Christine Lindeburg officiating. Following immediately after the service there will be a military graveside service at the Walton Cemetery at 1 p.m.
Memorial donations can be made in Peter’s name to Heart of the Catskills Humane Society at https://www.heartofthecatskills.org/how-to-help
