Pete in 2006, painting holiday decorations at his deli, Commack Breakfast and Lunch Too. A six-time St. Baldrick’s shavee, Peter passed away on July 31, 2013, at the age of 29.
More than the Hungry Man special — three eggs, bacon, ham and home fries on a hero — customers of “Commack Breakfast and Lunch Too” loved its owner. Pete Fedden was the kind of restaurateur who knew his customers by name and what they ordered by heart.
But he almost ended up as a lawyer.
Instead of pursuing law school after college, Pete made a life-changing decision at the age of 20 to buy the deli where he had worked part-time since he was 16.
Buying Commack Breakfast meant finishing college at night, borrowing money from his parents, and working seven days a week. But the sacrifices were worth every minute Pete could spend interacting with his patrons from behind the deli counter.
Pete’s love for his community extended beyond the deli. Every year for the past six years, Pete would grow his hair out and dye it green for a week before shaving at the annual St. Baldrick’s event at Napper Tandy’s in Northport, New York, raising over $12,000 for childhood cancer research.
In recognition of Pete’s dedicated service as a shavee, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation bestows upon him posthumously, the title of honorary Knight of the Bald Table. We honor and remember his commitment and heart to help kids fighting cancer.
On the day after his death, the windows of Commack Breakfast were dark. A handwritten sign on the door said it all: “Our Beloved Peter Passed Away, God Bless His Soul.” He will truly be missed.
Pete’s family has requested donations to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in memory of Peter Fedden/Commack Breakfast.
SBF
Tweets »
