Peter E. Shimrak

Peter E. Shimrak age 92, died peacefully on Thursday May 9, 2024,

surrounded by family in Avon Lake, OH. Born in Cleveland on March 17, 1932,

to the late Eli and Ella Shimrak. He was preceded in death by parents and sister,

Mary Perencevich (nee Shimrak). He is survived by his wife of 65 years,

Patricia Jean (nee DeFabio), and their children, Pamela (Timothy) Lynch,

Peter Jr. (Robyn) Shimrak and John August (Meg) Shimrak; his grandchildren

James Lynch, Rose Lynch, and Camiron Shimrak.

The Son of immigrant parents from Zumverak Province of Croatia, Peter graduated

from East High School . He majored in journalism at Ohio University and was a part of

the first ROTC class at the school.

Upon graduation in 1954, Peter served as a Lieutenant on active duty with the United States Air Force,

stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve as a liaison officer for

the Air Force Academy, until retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1978.

After his stint in Okinawa, Peter worked at the Cleveland Press as a reporter on the police beat until 1960.

In 1961 he joined Home Federal Savings and Loan in Lakewood, OH. He enjoyed a 35-year run in the banking industry

ending as Chairman and President of Home Bank in 2000.

In 1988, he was elected as a director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. Additionally,

Peter served as a board member for multiple organizations for 30 years including Lakewood Jaycees,

The Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival Association, AAA-Ohio Motorists Association,

The Cleveland Indians Baseball Club, The Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Team, and the

Cleveland Crusaders Hockey Team; and as a member of the board of trustees of Westwood Country Club,

and Lakewood-Rocky River Rotary Club.

Professionally if you asked Peter, he was most proud of his role as a trustee of Lakewood Hospital,

serving as a member of its Executive Committee and Chairman of the Capitol Development Committee for 25 years.

Peter, ever the extrovert, enjoyed many years of travel, good food, average golf, cigars and a good perfect CC Manhattan.

He was a loyal family man and friend, always putting others before himself, ultimately his favorite hobby was “helping people”.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Live Like Lou Foundation, 2 South Campus Ave., Oxford, OH 45056

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