By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

John Peter's Norwood restaurant, Peter's Cafeteria, was a landmark in the Norwood community from 1910 to 1984. His sense of faith and devotion to the people he loved made him a landmark in his family.

"He was my strength. He always knew what to say. He taught (his children) how to live and how to love, and how to have faith," said his daughter, Jeanmarie Gregg of Pleasant Ridge.

John Peter died Tuesday at Hospice of Cincinnati from a heart attack. The Norwood resident was 87.

Mr. Peter's father left home one day in 1910 with money in his pocket and headed toward the utility company to pay his bill.

But on the way, he discovered a tavern for sale and used the money to make a down payment on the building that would eventually become Peter's Cafeteria.

Mr. Peter was born six years later in an upstairs apartment at the family business. He worked at the restaurant while a student at Purcell High School. After high school, he continued to work alongside his father and brothers, until he retired in 1984. It was the same year the business sold.

"It was a real family endeavor," said his daughter. "It was sort of like a home, people would come in with their friends... you just don't have establishments like that anymore."

"Dad never met a stranger and helped a lot of people through hard times along the way," said his son, John F. Peter, Jr. of Pleasant Ridge, who worked with his father at the restaurant before it closed.

is wife of 50 years, Mary Peter; five brothers. Ambrose, Stanley, Clarence, Jerome, and Lawrence; and three sisters, Hilda Schimpf, Alma Mayer, and Catherine Raabe.

Besides his son and daughter other survivors include: two daughters, Mary Pat Cueva of Tucson, Ariz., and Peggy Smith of Park Hills, Ky.; a son, Dennis Peter of Norwood; 23 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Services have been held.

Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery.

Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Church, 2420 Drex Ave., Cincinnati, 45212.

Email nhamilton@enquirer.com