Celebration of Life Set for Industry Veteran Peter Recchio – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
Peter J Recchio, 75, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, according to his obituary by Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home in Elkhart, Ind.
Peter was a lifelong resident of Elkhart born on Sept. 15, 1950, to the late Nicholas and Rosemary Recchio. He graduated from Elkhart High School with the Class of 1968 and later attended Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana.
After college Peter began a successful 30-plus year career in the recreational vehicle industry working for multiple manufacturers in sales and management. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he started two companies of his own over his career, American Traveler and Ameri-Camp. Peter developed relationships with co-workers, dealers and suppliers, some of whom remained his closest, lifelong friends. He was a mentor to many and was passionate about cultivating talent, believing that the right character, a positive attitude and hard work could make anything happen.
Peter will be remembered by Dawn, his wife of 30 years, his children Nicholas (Jennifer) Recchio, Angie (Cory White) Recchio and his stepchildren Sonny Robinson, Andrew (Marsha) Robinson and Luke Robinson. There was simply no other role he cherished more in life than that of proud Papa to Grace and Brady Robinson, Giada White, Olivia Recchio and Logan and Lilyana Robinson. He and Dawn would be first in line to babysit, make trips to museums and zoos, and be each grandchild’s biggest fan. Peter could tell stories for hours about his Italian American upbringing, one he shared with his little sister Patti (Chris) Witman. He felt fortunate to have grown up surrounded by loving grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In his later years, he and Dawn opened two stores in downtown Elkhart, The Black Crow on Main and Dwellings. Peter loved interacting with shoppers, vendors and the other downtown merchants. Outside of his professional life, Peter was an avid sports fan, perpetual optimist and loyal friend. He and Dawn shared a passion for history. He was a true patriot, always proud of his county and its values. Peter lived by many mantras, but the one that rises above them all is “God, Family, Country.”
Peter will be deeply missed, but his memory will be kept alive by those who loved him. A celebration of his life will take place at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, with visitation being held from 11 a.m. until the hour of the service at 1 p.m., all at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home. Peter will be laid to rest in St. Vincent Cemetery in Elkhart.
Memorial contributions in memory of Peter may be made to the Council on Aging of Elkhart County, 131 Tyler St., Suite A, Elkhart, IN 46516.
