Peter B. Hodson Jr.

Peter B. Hodson, 85, passed away in his Mantua, NJ home on Monday, September 29, 2025, surrounded by family.

Peter was born in Lawnside, NJ on 6/26/1940. Peter attended Girard College, in PA from age 6 years old to age 16 years old. Peter enlisted in the Coast Guard from 1958 until his medical discharge in 1962, where he served during the Vietnam War era. Peter married the love of his life, Ethel on 10/7/1961. Peter enlisted in the United States Army National Guard Reserves from 1975 until his honorable discharge in 2000, from where he was proud and dedicated to his military career.

Peter worked at Owens Corning Fiberglass for 27 years until they closed. He then worked at Johnson Matthey for another 15 years, at which time he retired. He was a dedicated employee who was on the safety committee, and he was a union shop steward. Despite being retired, he continued to work for his son, Peter III, while helping family and friends with any and all projects and tasks. 

Away from work, Peter especially loved spending quality time with his family. His love of cars and motorcycles was passed onto his kids at an early age. He took his kids to countless events, including drag races, monster car shows, the annual Philadelphia auto show, and anything involving motorcycles, boats and RV’s. He was a skilled mechanic who could fix most anything. He enjoyed camping in Cape May Courthouse, riding his motorcyles and then bicyle, fishing, reading about history, watching the Phillies, Boxing, Charles Bronson Movies and his favoirte television shows, including Alaskan Bush People.  Peter also loved travelling with Ethel to their second home in Florida to escape the winter months in New Jersey. 

Predeceased  by his parents, Peter B. Sr. and Viria (Mickle) and sister, Viria Mayer, he is survived by his beloved wife Ethel C. (nee Talorico); devoted father of Peter III (Angela), Joseph (Nancy), Cindy (Paul), Lisa (Phyllis) and Mary (Scott); dear brother to Albert (Viola); loving grandfather to Dana, Matthew, Joe, Jon, Peter, Dominic, Angelina, Ava, Sarah, and Kristine; cherished great grandfather to Ellieah, Arya, Bella, and Zachary.  Peter is also survived by his extended family and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to Peter’s visitation on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 10:00am until 11:00am at Infant Jesus Parish at St. Margaret’s Church, located at 3rd and Beech, Woodbury Heights, NJ.  Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am. 

Interment will be held privately for his immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, Peter’s family has requested donations be made in his memory to St. Vincent DePaul Society at Donate - SVDP USA.