Peter Lawrence Sterbick

Obituary Peter L. Sterbick "Courage - everything will be all right" Peter Lawrence Sterbick passed away peacefully Sunday morning, February 19, 2006 in Tacoma, WA at the age of 88. Peter was born to Pearl and Anton Strbick in Graham, WA on November 12, 1917 at his family's farmhouse. He graduated from Lincoln H.S., Tacoma, in 1936. After completing undergrad work at the University of Washington, he worked as a ship fitter in Pearl Harbor and then joined the Army Air Corps as a navigator on B-24s during WWII. He was honorably discharged and returned to the University of Washington to attend Law School. In the fall of 1946, Peter met Rita J. Morrell while they both attended the University of Washington. After three months, they were married December 26, 1946 and recently celebrated their 59th Anniversary. Peter graduated with a degree in Law and was sworn in by the Washington Bar Association in 1949. Soon after, Peter and his brother, Michael opened their law practice. Peter considered himself a Counselor at Law and successfully practiced law for 50 years. During this time, he was a founding member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, belonged to the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, was a lifetime member of the Tacoma Elks, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, among many other organizations. Peter also enjoyed the outdoors boating with his family. He was an avid football fan, enjoying his sons' and grandsons' games, and he especially enjoyed the time he spent at his Graham Property. He will be lovingly remembered as "Bubba" by his family and extended family. For all who knew him, he had integrity, wisdom, strong faith and love of family and his Croatian heritage. Peter is survived by Rita J. (Morrell), wife and the "Queen of my Heart", children Marilyn (Jeff) Sterbick Hammond, Larry (Rebecca) Sterbick, Tom Sterbick, Dave (Cher) Sterbick and Colleen (Rich) Lonzak, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, his sisters Marianne (Tony) Cemelich, Julia Rediske and brother Michael (Elizabeth) Sterbick. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Therese Sterbick and his siblings John Sterbick, Sister Virginia Sterbick, Helen Sterbick, George Sterbick and Jeannie Kanton. The family suggests memorials to St. Charles Borromeo or the Tacoma Dominicans, 935 Fawcett Ave South, Tacoma, WA 98402. Viewing will be on Sunday, February 26, 2006 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.M. with a Rosary starting at 4:00, at Gaffney Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 27, 2006 at 11:00 at St. Charles Borromeo, with reception following. Private family interment at Calvary Cemetery. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.