Joseph E. Peter
Crew, 1969
1996 Letterwinner of Distinction
1996 Letterwinner of Distinction
Joe Peter was a member of the Acacia Fraternity where he was social chair as a senior and steward as a junior. He also worked on the SU Goon Squad.
In 1987, Joe became president and treasurer of Peter’s Groceries, Inc. after serving his family-owned business as vice president and contributing to the successful growth of five stores which employ 650 people locally. He is also the owner of Skytop Liquors and various real estate holdings.
Joe has served on the board of directors at St. Elias Orthodox Church, the Onondaga Food council and the Syracuse regional Market. He is a member of the New York State Food Merchants Association and provides summer employment for Syracuse University student-athletes.
Joe is an extremely devout alumnus who has been deeply involved with the SU Crew program as a competitor, contributor and leader of alumni support. He served as chair of the Boathouse Renovation Committee, the Henley Travel Committee and the Quonset Hut Remodeling committee. Joe endowed the first rowing scholarship and has made major contributions to this fun and numerous other SU funds such as Orange Pack, Society of Fellows, Founder’s Society, SARA, Carrier dome Campaign, Orange Plus, Matmen’s and Crew Funds. A shell was named in his honor several years ago. A second shell, named in his honor, was used in the 1996 IRA Regatta, where Joe’s alumni boat won the gold medal for Syracuse University.
Joe has been an active member of the Varsity Club of SU for almost 30 years. His loyalty and interest in crew extends to his annual competitions in open and masters events which include the U.S. Masters National, local and Canadian events, and the World F.I.S.A. Championships where he has earned numerous silver, bronze and gold medals. He has also competed in the Royal Henley Regatta in England three times.
