Obituary of Peter A. Berube

Peter A. Berube – October 16, 1952 – March 11, 2024

Sierra Vista, Arizona – Peter A. Berube, 71 passed away in the early morning hours of March 11, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. Pete was born October 16, 1952, in Caribou, Maine, the son of Leo R. Berube and Mary E. (Day) Berube. Pete attended Caribou schools, after graduating in June 1971 he joined the U.S. Air Force spending 11 years in the Supply career field.

Pete’s assignments after graduating from basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, and a technical school in Colorado included:

Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico

Aviano AB, Italy - Aviano AB, Italy, a small U.S. air base located in northern Italy 45 minutes from the beaches of the Adriatic Sea by Venice and 45 minutes from the Dolomites in the Italian Alps to the north. While in Italy Pete learned how to skydive where he met his future wife, Kay who was also in the Air Force.

Loring AFB, Limestone, Maine – a short distance from where Pete grew up in Caribou. After spending two years there in the “frozen north” with Kay they headed back to Europe.

The last of Pete’s Air Force career included assignments to Zweibrucken AB, Germany, and NATO HQ in Brunssum, Holland.

Pete enjoyed being stationed in Europe and took advantage . . .

making friends and experiencing the European lifestyle firsthand. . . the

local customs & traditions, holidays, and of course

all the “fests” . . . trying all the different kinds of beers . . .

He would always say the best was the “O-fest” (Oktoberfest} every

year in Munich . . . liter beers, bratwurst, and huge soft pretzels . . .

he would always look forward to that time of year!!

Pete especially liked driving on the autobahns and really missed that

when returning back in the States. . .

He liked nice cars . . . from his 69 Ford Mach I “Henry” and his 74

Vette in Italy . . . to his 68 Camaro SS in northern Maine . . . to his 76

Porsche 911 Targa in Germany that was rebuilt similar to an 82

Porsche Carrara, complete with flared fenders and spoiler.

Pete really liked working on and fixing them up and then getting behind

the wheel and driving . . . he especially likes taking his Porsche for a

ride on the autobahns in Germany . . . his “go fast” car!!

He would tell you that he made lasting friendships throughout his

military career . . . and especially so at Zwei . . . over 40yrs later

the four friends Bruce, Frank, Eric, and Pete still stayed

connected in each other’s lives . . . he will truly be missed!!

Pete’s friend Eric remembers the good times going to concerts and skiing while in Europe. He remembers Pete as a loyal friend, calling him just to check in no matter where they were living at the time.

Pete moved to Sierra Vista in December 2015 to be near Vicki, his youngest sibling. He would call frequently to see what was happening throughout each day. He met a few people from his apartment complex but would say he didn’t need any friends because he could rely on Vicki to take him to appointments or to the store when necessary.

Pete always made a point to check in with family from Maine. He called Gladys, or as he called her “Ma Hooey” a cousin from his dad’s side of the family every week, sometimes while she was busy playing Bingo. He would tell her that he’d call her back later and keep her updated on the Sierra Vista life. Pete would also reach out to other cousins Bob Brissette, Laura McPherson, and John Bragdon, who thought of Pete as a brother rather than a cousin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Mary Berube; his oldest brother Brent (Shorty); and his sisters Arlene (Pee Wee), Sharon, and Valerie.

Pete is survived by his brother Larry D. Berube of St Joseph, MO, sister Vicki L. (Mark) Lerma of Sierra Vista, AZ, Nieces Amber M. (Ivan) Santiago of Palm Bay, Florida, Andrea R. (Kyle) Kramer of El Paso Texas, Angela J. (Joshua) Haines of Waynesville, MO. He also has 3 grandnieces and 2 grandnephews Riley Haines, Hailey Kramer, Amelia Kramer, Owen Kramer, and Adderson (Ace) Kramer.

He is also survived by many cousins and friends from Maine to Arizona. His friend, Frank put it eloquently, “To know him was to love him. The rest of the world just wouldn’t understand.”

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your local cancer research society in Pete’s name.

As Pete would say, “It ain’t nothing but a thing!”