Peter Bonaventura Aiello, age 66, of Hingham, formerly of Braintree, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 20, 2024, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous thirteen-month battle with glioblastoma.

Peter was the beloved husband of 39 years to Sara J. (Mackiewicz) Aiello and a devoted father to Marc A. Aiello and his wife Rachel of Houston, TX, and Cara A. Aiello and her husband Andrew Stevenson of Milton. Known affectionately as “Pop,” Peter was a doting grandfather to Isabel, Allegra, and Henrietta. He was the dear brother of Rosanna Aiello and Pasqualino A. “Lino” Aiello and his wife Kaitlyn, all of Braintree, and the much-loved uncle of Ella and Jack. Peter was the cherished nephew of Zia Modestina of Italy, and he leaves behind many loving cousins, extended family, and dear friends.

Born in Boston in 1958 to the late Alfredo and Rosina (Maudente) Aiello, Peter spent his early childhood in Boston’s historic North End before the family moved to Worcester, where they established Alfredo Aiello Italian Foods, Inc. Eventually settling on the South Shore, Peter graduated from Braintree High School in 1976 and proudly became the first in his family to earn a college degree, graduating from Bentley College in 1980 with a Bachelor’s in Business. A lifelong learner, Peter continued to seek knowledge throughout his career. He returned to Bentley many times over the years, serving as a guest lecturer in marketing and a mentor to students in entrepreneurial studies. His curiosity also led him to earn his Real Estate Sales and Broker Licenses, which he used in both business and personal endeavors.

Peter worked side-by-side with his parents and siblings at Alfredo Aiello Italian Foods, Inc. in the early years of his career, contributing to the family legacy he held dear. It was during his mid-20’s working at Alfredo’s — where he playfully referred to himself as a “noodle-bender” — that he met the love of his life, Sara, at a mutual friend’s wedding in 1982. The two were married in 1985, beginning a life filled with love, adventure, and family.

With a natural talent for sales and an entrepreneurial drive inspired by his parents, Peter founded his own business in the late 1980s, with the help of a modest loan from his father (one that he proudly paid back a year later). Specializing in the distribution of Italian outdoor goods across North America, he grew the business through hard work and cultivating strong relationships. While Peter’s days were filled with new business responsibilities, he never missed an opportunity to share lunch with his parents and siblings at Alfredo’s pasta factory. He remained a trusted advisor to the family business as it expanded, and during the holiday season, he was always eager to help at Alfredo’s stores, diving in to lend a hand wherever needed.

Peter had a passion for travel that took him to many places (particularly warm beach destinations). He delighted in introducing Marc and Cara to the small Italian village where his parents were from, spending time with relatives there (especially Zia Modestina) and celebrating the feast of La Madonna Della Luce. Wherever he traveled, Peter would visit the local church, lighting a candle and offering prayers. Summers were spent enjoying Cape Cod with family, and in later years, Peter and Sara became snowbirds spending their winters in Fort Myers, FL. His most cherished trip was a recent journey to South Africa with Sara, where they experienced the awe of a safari and the history of Cape Town.

Family was at the heart of Peter’s life. He loved all family gatherings, particularly the holidays steeped in tradition and food. Perhaps his greatest joy came from being a grandfather. Whether playing, laughing, or simply listening, he found immeasurable happiness in his granddaughters, Isabel and Allegra (Marc and Rachel) and Henri (Cara and Andrew).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Albert the Great Church, 1140 Washington Street, Weymouth, on Monday, September 30, at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, East Milton, on Sunday, September 29, from 2 -5 p.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory may be made to the Renovation Project of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at Saint Albert the Great Parish, c/o 236 Pleasant Street, Weymouth, MA 02190 (which Peter deeply loved and visited regularly) or to Kim’s Hope (https://kimshope.org/donate/), a charity that provides financial support to glioblastoma patients.