Thousands say goodbye to Norfolk's 'Uncle Pete'

NORFOLK

Thousands of people turned out Monday to say goodbye to attorney and philanthropist Peter G. Decker Jr. in a sendoff more befitting a head of state than a private citizen.

Several thousand people jammed into the Norfolk Waterside Marriott convention center for a memorial service that briefly snarled downtown traffic and attracted most of the city's political elite.

City officials said at least 2,500 attended, including the former and current mayors of Virginia Beach, attorneys, judges, downtown office workers and hundreds of people for whom Decker did personal favors.

Marriott officials did not offer a crowd estimate, but Mayor Paul Fraim said he estimated that more than 4,000 attended.

"It was unlike anything I've seen in this city," he said. "People were jammed into the room, shoulder to shoulder.

"This is a remarkable turnout that speaks volumes about Pete."

The memorial began a few hours after a funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Norfolk that was supposed to be limited to immediate family and close friends, but attracted a standing-room crowd of more than 500.

Businesses throughout the city, including the long-closed Riverview Theater on Granby Street north of the Virginia Zoo and Baxter's Sports Lounge downtown, put up signs paying homage to Decker. "We will miss U Uncle Pete," said the marquee at the Riverview.

Decker, 76, succumbed to cancer on Friday, ending a career in which he built a powerful law firm and became a multimillionaire, general district court substitute judge and influential political figure who raised millions of dollars for charity.

Decker was known by those close to him as "Uncle Pete" for the help he gave hundreds of people.

"That's why this room is full," said the Rev. Joseph H. Metzger III, the pastor at Blessed Sacrament. "He did so much to help so many people."

Metzger led the Mass, praising Decker as a man "who built bridges between people."

At Decker's request, Fraim eulogized him during the brief memorial service a few hours later. Before the memorial, people ate finger food, viewed photographs of Decker on six wide-screen televisions and listened to recordings of music sung by Decker, who as a college student helped make ends meet by singing in nightclubs.

The Norfolk State University band played on Main Street as people made their way into the Marriott.

Fraim then spoke, paying homage to Decker's wife of nearly 50 years, Bess Decker, and sons Peter III, Paul and Phillip.

"No one lived a life any fuller, or with more zest and joy," Fraim said.

"To the entire Decker family, we thank you for sharing him so freely with us for so long."

Paul Decker, who often sang on stage with his father, ended the memorial service, saying his father asked him to sing a song to his mother.

Turning to Bess Decker, he sang, "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me."

"When Paul finished," Fraim said, "there was not a dry eye in the room."

Harry Minium, 757-446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com