Robert "Pete" Peter Perez

“ The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and let it come in.” --Morrie Schwartz. Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Album (1997).

Robert “Pete” Perez was born in Torrance, CA to Robert Perez and Marline Perez (Rogers) on March 4, 1967. Pete grew up in Lakewood and Long Beach, along with his 5 brothers and 3 sisters. Pete attended schools in Long Beach and Bellflower and graduated from Mayfair High School in 1986. A natural athlete, Pete played soccer and football as a young child, all through high school, and into adulthood. As an adult, Pete enjoyed playing softball, bowling, fishing, playing pool, and later took up golf with his brother, Raul, his father-in law, Rick and brother-inlaw, Mark.

After high school, Pete worked in shipping, receiving, and deliveries at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where he met Jennifer Moore. Together, they had their son, Zachary, who was the love and light of Pete’s life.

Pete eventually left Long Beach Memorial Hospital and began working for the City of Seal Beach in their Public Works Department. While still working for Seal Beach, on a fluke, Pete applied for a full-time position in the Grounds Department for Long Beach Unified School District. He was hired by LBUSD in 2000, a year after he had applied and spent the rest of his career working for the Grounds Department as a groundskeeper and eventually retiring as an Equipment Operator-I in May 2022. Because Pete was one of a handful of district employees who had worked at and walked every school site in LBUSD, over the years, he made friends throughout the district. Known for always having a joke to share, a smile on his face, candy in his pocket, and bringing food to share with people all over the district, he made special connections and friendships with everyone from site principals, to district security, school crossing guards, teachers, fellow maintenance workers, librarians, administrative assistants, and more. His kindness and generosity towards others was felt by many--there wasn’t a school site that didn’t know Pete.

One school site will always have a special place in Pete’s heart and that is Lakewood High School, where he met his wife, Lisa, in 2007. Lisa and Pete married in 2013 and settled in her grandparents’ former home in Lakewood, CA. During their time together, Pete and Lisa enjoyed countless family gatherings and celebrations, establishing new traditions, travel, time with friends, lots of laughs, and the love and antics of their 3 cats.

Pete was a friend to all and never knew a stranger. His love of life, his love of his son, his wife and family, his undying support of the Raiders and UCLA football teams and the Dodgers baseball team, his generosity to those in need, his love of the lottery and Judge Judy, his homemade beef jerky and his beloved vegetable garden, his trademark outfit of sunglasses, tshirt and shorts, and his genuine kindness will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

Pete was preceded in death by Herman Moreno and Marline Rogers. He leaves behind his
wife, Lisa; son, Zach; brothers Raul Moreno, Joey, Johnny, Marty and Patrick Escobedo; and sisters Robin Kressin, Christy Kidd and Stephanie Perez; 8 nieces; 4 nephews; his father, Robert Perez; step-father, Louie Escobedo; step-mother, Jeanne Moreno; in-laws Rick and Marilee Boese, brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Cate Boese.

Funeral mass will be held at St. Cornelius Catholic Church on Saturday July 30, 2022 at
12:30pm.
5500 E. Wardlow
Long Beach, CA
Reception immediately following at the Lakewood Country Club 3101 Carson St.
Lakewood, CA

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Chemical Dependency Unit or SolMar at
Hoag Hospital Newport Beach: giving.hoag.org