Pete Sr. was a dock worker at Todd's shipyard downtown Brooklyn in an area between Redhook - Brooklyn Heights - Williamsburg. He could walk to work from the small-town neighborhood of Redhook, and he would bring home fascinating (to us) items from the ship yard, and told stories of the ships built at the yard and the ships that came into the marina. Nettie had barnacles that were scrapped off a ship, sitting in the dining area. I used to love to touch them and ask Pete Sr. how they grew on the ship.
Peter 1976 sitting on deck railing
I remember when Peter and I would go swimming for a long time in the beach water, he would pinch at my legs and tell me that the little sea creatures that make barnacles on ships were going to plant themselves on my legs. Then I'd have to spend the rest of my life with ugly hard barnacles growing from my legs. Every summer I believed him and would thoroughly inspect my legs for barnacles after the beach. Peter loved to tell us girls gross things like that to make us freak.
I really miss that about him ...
its cool to read and learn a little bit about PETE sr.good story.the pics of PETER staring away...i wonder what he was thinking...76,i would have been 4! lol
ReplyDeleteI remember reading or watching a interview with Peter and he was saying how he hated to buy something if he could make it instead. I suppose doing jobs with his dad made him more inclined to have a go at making things. Its really nice that his dad took the time to teach the kids how to fix things. Peter Sr's tools would be very special to Peter and hold many memories. Talking about Peter dabbling in carpentry I am thinking about Peter and his wood...now I am thinking about the Playgirl magazine !!!
ReplyDeleteWow. Hundreds of tools. Cleaning out personal items is so hard, but really revealing about the person. I remember when we cleared out my grandfather's things. I'd known him all my life, yet he had so many things we had no idea he even possessed. A lot of things were passed on to him from a previous relative. One of the coolest things was one of those old-fashioned box cameras. My dad sent it to me last summer. I don't even know how to use it. But I keep it.
ReplyDeleteThis made me think this morning. Much love to the Ratajczyk family as you all pick up the pieces.x
It's good to read about the family and the influences you all had on Peter
ReplyDeleteI love this story. And the pictures. Sr. and Jr. are probably building something together as we speak.
ReplyDeleteAnother great story about the family background - hard working, honest and full of love and life - it's so interesting to learn more and more about Pete's family. Pete Sr. was a very impressive man too. Darcie, I love the way how lively you tell these stories (LOL barnacles on your legs) - full of love & I can imagine so well how you all must miss Peter, this larger-than-life personality, beautiful, talented, generous & good hearted man. I miss him also each day - even if I never met him but he touched me with his music, words and appearance so much more than other persons I know personally. I love the picture & I would be also curious what Peter was thinking bout ;-)
ReplyDelete@Anonymous - so we're the same age ;-) 76 - I was 4yo too - WOW - so long ago.
@the Ratajczyk family - thank you again for a wonderful memory. Much love & respect to all of you.
-Sabine,Austria-
Such an awesome story and very heartfelt that peter kept his dads tools along with so many other things. Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteVery cool Peter kept all of his dad's tools along with other family memoribilia, says a lot about his character. I never got to meet Peter, but I know a guy who did lighting at our local club and him and his wife met Peter while setting up for the show, she said he was very nice and polite which shocked her because, and these are her words "HE LOOKED F**CKING FRIGHTENING". Love this pic of Pete, 1976 the year I was born, cool! Thanks again. (-)
ReplyDeleteNow I'm in tears again...reading this story of Peter's dad and cleaning out Peter's things. My son helped David's mom (my son's best friend who passed away almost 4 yrs ago) clean out his room, the giving out of his things to friends, family. My son has his guitar and other momentos. I'm so sorry. I feel what you're feeling. Not easy stuff to deal with. These bittersweet stories touch my heart. I know how you feel. My heart goes out to you always. You take care of each other and keep Peter's memory alive thru this website. I read these stories first thing every morning. Helps me get thru my day knowing you are there and we can show you how much we loved your boy with our messages to you, he meant so much to so many. He will never be forgotten in my house. Love to you all.
ReplyDeleteAnd my dad used to take us down the docks in Brooklyn too when I was a kid. I remember seeing those huge ships coming and going out to sea. Fasinated a little girl like myself then. Still have those memories. Your family has so many good memories of Peter and his dad and mom to cherish. So do I. My dad's been gone for gosh since 1976. My mom is still going strong at 93. I take care of her, she is my inspiration. Stay strong and God will help you all get thru this together. Peace.
ReplyDeleteFor the Love of Peter Steele. Perfect name for this website. Yes we loved your son, brother, uncle, bandmate, friend. He was and will remain one of my favorite song writers, musicians, human beings that was ever brought into this world. His life mattered to so many. He was put on this earth for reasons, he taught us many things. I for one will never forget those lessons. Thank you Peter. Thank you Pete Sr. and Nettie for bringing this gift to the world. He was an amazing man.
ReplyDeleteA great family story and great photo of Peter. I can almost see him thinking and putting together the song, Todd's Ship Gods. It nice to know how sentimental Peter was with keeping all his dad's tools. I hope they can still go to good use in the family. So sad the shipyard is gone now. Thanks for sharing! RIP Peter!----Jessica (Black Number 1)
ReplyDeleteHi Darcie--
ReplyDeleteNice story about Peter, Sr. and his relationship with his son. I've always wondered how they got along; now I know. No doubt dad passed on some of his talents to Peter. It's neat that he kept so many of his dad's tools. As someone going through the last of my grandparents' belongings we're finding things that belonged to them that we never knew about! Hopefully the tools and everything else you're finding will have good, new homes. I know all the stuff we're finding will be!
Love & Gratitude--Patty P.
Beautiful story Darcie ! thank yo uso much
ReplyDeletei loved to read how Pete had kept all the tools from his dad!
Peter was ust 14 yrs old in this photo. Just a kid but with lots on his mind looks like. He probably knew he was going to make a big impact on the planet from this picture. We miss you so much Peter.
ReplyDeletegreat story. i had always wondered how pete and sr got along...its wonderful that he had a closeness with his dad like that. and to hold onto the tools shows just how much he loves his dad.
ReplyDeletei just want to say that pete has been on my mind quite a bit more than usual. been missing him and i dont know that i can truly say that since i never knew him. my heart is just sad more than usual. but i do love Pete with all my heart. thank you so much for the stories.
much love & respect to the entire Ratajczyk familia. <3
Once again I have to say "Thank you"! This blog is wonderful! I know I say it everytime I post but I really look forward to it. This insight into someone I greatly admired is such a gift. I feel happy knowing he had such a great family around him. I feel sad though because these stories show the full impact of his passing for you and your family. I try not to tear up when I listen to certain songs. Silly I know, but it stirs up great emotion in me. I have always had TON in my life since they formed as a band and now... So :) to you. p.s. I was 10 yrs in 76' wow I'm getting old but not too old for metal! \m/ \m/ haha
ReplyDeleteMy 26 yrs old son Michael just told me yesterday that his friend Billy used to wear a Type O Negative T shirt back when they were in middle school. I wish I knew if he still had that shirt. I'll ask my son today. If so I'm going to take picture of it and send it. Still working on my memorial to Peter. I'm going to be ordering my Peter Steele memorial T shirt when they become available. I will wear it proudly. It will bring sadness too I know, but with this blog it helps to read the stories about how Peter grew up with the love all around. He gave as much as he took, love all around. I came from that kind of family growing up in New York. These stories warm my heart each day. Thank you, I know it helps heal a bit your broken hearts. Us too, the fans. We understand. You take care and stay strong. I'm going to wedding this Saturday another friend who know our David, they grew up together. I'm sure at the wedding there will be a lit candle there to remember our David. He's there with us. We miss him each day since he passed. Takes my breathe away some days. So just hold onto each other Ratajczyk family. We understand what you're going thru. Peace and love to you all.
ReplyDeleteGreat stories, both! Barnacle-legs, what a prankster!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like spending a little shop-time with a parent, and the tools used by a loved one do seem to hold a little of that person's spirit. You can feel it when using those tools to craft things. I hope Pete Sr's tools are in the hands of another Ratajczyk family crafts-person who will feel the same love of creation both Pete-s felt.
For what it's worth I think if Pete had lived long enough to choose to become a husband and father he would've eventually done so and been incredible in both roles. He seemed very caring and had a wonderful dad as a role model and a very open, warmhearted family.
Oh – and I forgot to mention that being such a sentimental person myself I can absolutely understand that Peter kept all of his father’s tools as a memory – I hope they now found proper places within your family. Going thru possessions of a loved one is such a cruel thing – sure it brings memories to laugh but also to cry about. I was given a music tape (WoW – back in the last century LOL) by a very close friend of mine, she unfortunately died in a car accident at the age of only 20years – it was a big shock and hurt for me – now almost 20 years later I find comfort when I take this cassette in my hands, reading the playlist (almost not readable anymore) and listening to the songs (actually it's the album Gothic by Paradise Lost). It brings my friend so close again – she is in my heart everyday but keeping this tape is so much more – automatically so many memories come up – priceless to feel this.
ReplyDeleteMuch respect & love
-Sabine-