Peter N. Rotando

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WEST BOYLSTON – Peter N. Rotando, 74, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2021 in the compassionate care of the love of his life, Jane Burgoyne and the dedicated staff at Leominster Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Born in Holden, Peter was the son of the late Nicholas V. and Olive “Cynthia” (McKinstry) Rotando and lived most of his life in West Boylston.

Peter was a graduate of West Boylston High School where he served as class president in 1964. He then went on to graduate from Assumption College where he received a bachelor’s degree in History and Education. He later earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from Clark University, and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Anna Maria College. He worked 30 years for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation retiring in 2014.

He started his firefighting career at the age of 16 as an auxiliary firefighter with the West Boylston Fire Department, where he will be remembered for his warm smile and strong presence. In 1978, Peter moved to Louisiana where he taught specialty fire instruction at the University of Louisiana before returning to West Boylston in 1983. He worked the remainder of his chosen career as a firefighter-EMT with the Boylston and Sterling Fire Departments and the Princeton Fire Department where he was presently serving as Chaplain. Peter was the first Call Firefighter to graduate from the Mass Firefighting Academy and served with the Central Mass Fire Service for almost 50 years. He also served with the Mass Corps of Fire Chaplains and the Montachusett CISM Team. Other memberships included the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, Chapter 450 - The Northeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection and the Worcester County Firefighters Association.

Peter was a certified instructor with the State Fire Academy and taught classes throughout New England, Michigan, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. He served on the board of the Mass Forest Warden’s Association Nationally, Peter was a member of numerous associations including the National Fire Academy Alumni Association and the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

He honorably served his country from 1974 to 1977 as a Lieutenant with the US Army Reserve. He was a Member of the Harold N. Keith American Legion Post 204 in West Boylston and served as a past camp commander of the Willie Grout Camp 25 and Commander of the 1st Military District, Sons of Veterans Reserve.

Peter was presently serving as a Trustee of Mt. Vernon Cemetery in West Boylston and was a member of the First Congregational Church of West Boylston. In his spare time, Peter held memberships with Central Massachusetts Genealogical, Antique Tractor Society and the Central Mass Postcard Club.

Peter leaves his long-time girlfriend and love of his life, Jane D. Burgoyne of Lancaster; an uncle, Forrest “Woody” McKinstry of Charlton; local cousins including, Judith Roy of West Boylston and Beth Taylor, Sharon Carlson, Paul McKinstry and his wife, Jennifer all of Charlton; and close friends, Wilmer “Wil” and Debbie Dane of Livingston, Texas.

Jane and Peter's families would like to thank the Princeton Fire Department for all their assistance in helping to make Peter's memory a tribute to his life; a special thank you to the nursing staff at Leominster Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Leominster and Whitney Rehabilitation Hospital in Westborough, for their endless care of Peter during his stay; a very special thank you to Peter and Jane's families and friends for their very devoted support and love during this painful journey. Peter will be so dearly missed.

Visiting hours for family and friends will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, March 24 at the Miles-Sterling Funeral and Tribute Center, 100 Worcester Rd., Sterling. A funeral service honoring Peter’s life will be held at 11 am on Thursday, March 25, at the Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest besides his parents at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in West Boylston. Appropriate social distancing and wearing of a mask will be required. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Princeton Firefighter's Association, 8 Town Hall Drive, Princeton, MA 01541 or to the First Congregational UCC, 26 Central Street, West Boylston, MA 01583. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit the Tribute Wall on this page.