Rest in Peace

Peter P. Bury

November 29, 1927 – December 26, 2020

Peter P. Bury, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2020. He was born on November 29, 1927 in Hartford, CT and was the son of the late John and Katarzyna (Dziewit) Bury. Peter attended St. Ann's Elementary School and was valedictorian for the Class of 1940. He attended Hartford Public High School in Hartford, CT from 1940 – 1944, where he was a master debater and took part in the Batterson Debates for two years. Peter attended Boston University from 1944 to 1949 and received both B.A. and M.A. degrees in history.

After one year of teaching, Peter was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950 and completed his basic training at Camp Atterbury with the 28th Infantry Division. He later completed a leadership-training course at Fort Riley and artillery school and the OCS training program at Fort Sill. Peter was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1952.

Peter served in Korea with the 58th Field Artillery battalion of the 3rd Division. As a forward observer, he was assigned to conduct artillery fire for the infantry; he was stationed on the MLR and saw action on Outposts Tom, Dick and Harry. While serving on Outpost Harry in 1953, Peter and his sergeant rescued and saved the lives of three wounded infantry men who were trapped in the rubble when their bunker was destroyed. Peter was awarded the Bronze Star for this heroic rescue. Peter was also awarded a Korean Service Medal from the Korean government for meritorious service under heavy fire. Peter was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and became battery commander of B Battery before being honorably discharged in October 1953. After returning home, Peter taught at Hatch Prep School in Newport, RI, for one year.

In August 1954, Peter married Gertrude C. Thompson from New Britain, CT. The couple moved to Boston while Peter attended Simmons College in Boston, where he received an M.L.S. degree in Library Science.

In 1958, Peter took the position as Director of the Glenview (Illinois) Public Library, where he remained until he retired in 1988. As Director, he planned and supervised two major additions to the library. Peter also served as a library consultant for over twenty-five Chicago-suburban libraries in the areas of buildings, quality library service and site selection.

Peter was very active in the Illinois Library Association, where he served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and, ultimately, President from 1973-1974. Peter also helped establish the Glenview Area Historical Society, and served as its Secretary and Vice President; he was also Vice President of the Glenview Volunteer Bureau. Peter was also a member of the Glenview Rotary Club and served as Secretary, Vice President and, ultimately, President.

During retirement, Peter played Santa Claus during December for Marshall Field's Department Store for 12 years; a role which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Peter is survived by his son, Peter (Linda) J. Bury; daughter, Trude (Robert) Terreberry; daughter-in-law, Harriet (Andy) Parker; granddaughters, Lauren (Tom) Scott, and Maggie Bury; and great-granddaughters, Cora and Layla Scott.

His loving wife, Gertrude, of 60 years; two sisters, Helen Shaskus and Julia Campagna; and one brother, Frank Bury, preceded him in death.

At Peter's request, no services were held. Memorial donations may be made to the Glenview Historical Society, 1121 Waukegan Rd, Glenview, IL, 60025 or First Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 77 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT, 06051.

Arrangements entrusted to Triad Cremation & Funeral Service of Greensboro, NC.

To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published in the Chicago Tribune by PL-North on Jan. 7, 2021.

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