Peter J. Sliman's Obituary
Peter John Sliman, 89, of Amherst, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 15, 2015 at Mercy Hospital surrounded by his family.
Pete was born on May 3, 1926 in South Amherst. A born salesman, young Pete Sliman sold household goods door to door. After graduating from South Amherst High School in 1944, Pete served as a Merchant Marine. Peter met the love of his life, Barbra Jean Andrewski, at a CYO softball game, and the couple married in 1954. After saving enough money, Pete started a gas station in Vermillion. Annoyed with cleaning lake flies off of windshields, Peter was motivated to enter the car business. In 1950, he began to build and operate Sliman’s Sales in Service on Route 58, where it remains to this day. Many things have changed since the days of the Dodge Lancer and Polaris, but one thing that remained true throughout the years was Pete’s passion for serving customers; it was a business built on honesty. It is no wonder Pete’s motto from the beginning was “Where customers send their friends!” Peter retired after 50 years at Sliman’s Sales and Service.
Peter was an active member of the Amherst Quarterback Club: he was one of 12 volunteers who built the Amherst football complex in 1970. Pete also belonged to CYO, Amherst Rotary Club, Noon Day Club and was a faithful member of St. Joseph Parish. Peter served as President of the Northern Ohio Dodge Dealers Association and was Past Commodore at Beaver Park Boat Club. He was a member of the American Legion Post 30 of Lorain.
Peter and Barbra enjoyed escaping Ohio winters at their Florida household. Peter was an avid boater, hunter, golfer, fisherman, and lover of anything fun. Nothing made him happier than spending time with his family...it’s no wonder he attended hundreds of his children’s’ and grandchildren’s sporting events! Barbra served as a compassionate caretaker for Pete dealing with illnesses for the past eleven years.
Peter is survived by his beautiful wife of 60 devoted years, Barbra Jean (nee Andrewski) Sliman; his loving sister Margaret Sliman of South Amherst; children Wanda (Jay) Warford of Amherst, Paul (Wendy) Sliman of Amherst, Patricia Clark of Elyria, MaryBeth (Mark) Noss of Amherst, Amy (Dan) Basinski of Amherst, and Peter (Deborah) Sliman Jr. of Amherst; and thirteen wonderful grandchildren Jennifer (Ed) Anglin, Jonathan, Kristina, Olivia, Michelle, Ashley, Alex, C.J., Christopher, Michael, Mallory, Victoria and Gabrielle.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary (nee Deeby) Sliman; sisters Ann Sliman and Martha Abraham; brothers, Mike Sliman, David Sliman, Anthony Sliman and Samuel Sliman.
The legacy Peter Sliman built will undoubtedly be carried on by his family.
Peter’s family will receive family and friends at Dovin & Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, on Tuesday, May 19th from 2pm until 8pm. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10:30 am in the funeral center followed by mass at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Parish, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Peter will be laid to rest following mass at St. Joseph Cemetery in Amherst. The American Legion Post 30 will conduct military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cleveland, 10011 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106; The Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the National MS Society, 6155 Rockside Rd., Suite 202 Independence, OH 44131; or St. Joseph Parish, 200 St Joseph Dr. Amherst, OH 44001.
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