Peter R. Mariani

November 2, 1929 – June 11, 2026

Peter R. Mariani died peacefully on June 11, 2026, at Indiana University Health North Hospital in Carmel. He was 96 years old.

Pete was born in Chicago, Ill., on November 2, 1929. He was the youngest of three children born to Italian American parents, Vincenzo “James” Mariani & Virginia (Falco) Mariani. His brother, Donald, sister-in-law, Jeannette, and sister, Celeste, preceded him in death.

An interesting anecdote, his parents never agreed on a name, his mother preferring “Robert” or “Bud,” while he was always “Peter” to his father and in official records. While most of his friends called him “Pete,” to his Chicago friends, siblings and their families he was always “Buddy.”

Pete attended St. Angela’s Catholic School in Chicago, Ill., and often reflected with pride on the love and strict discipline of the ruler delivered by the sisters in the 1930s. He then attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago for high school. In 1952 he received his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s in Mundelein, Ill.

Born at the beginning of the Great Depression and coming of age during World War II, Pete had many colorful stories about growing up in Chicago. He recalled with pride accompanying his father to his job as a produce broker on the Chicago waterfront, his own job as an usher at Wrigley Field for Bears games and helping pour the original concrete runways at O’Hare Airport. His favorite story was how he and his best friend, Fran Moroney, were paid to drive a car one-way to Los Angeles. They took a week and visited Yosemite and other parts of the American West. After arriving in Los Angeles and pocketing their hard-earned wages, they did not want to pay for a return, so they decided to hitchhike from Los Angeles to Chicago. His mother was furious, but he had a lifetime of stories from the journey.

In 1955, Pete was extended an invitation to join the United States Army. He was honorably discharged from the Army Medical Corps. in 1957, having served at Fort Ord, Calif.; Fort Riley, Kan.; and in his hometown of Chicago. After the Army, Pete enrolled at Northwestern University and earned a master’s degree in Hospital Administration in 1959.

As part of his Northwestern master’s program, Pete accepted a one-year residency at Community Hospital in Indianapolis in 1958, intending to return to Chicago at its conclusion. However, a job opportunity with Community Hospital and, more importantly, a burgeoning love interest kept him in the Indianapolis area for the rest of his life.

Pete met Rita Stuckey on a train ride to a Notre Dame football game in the fall of 1958. They were married on February 16, 1963, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Indianapolis’ east side. Nine months after being married, they welcomed their son, Peter (Stacy), followed soon thereafter by Nancy (Mark Ferrara), Paul (Laurie) and Thomas (Myra).

In 1965, Pete and Rita moved to Noblesville, Ind., when Pete became the administrator of Riverview Hospital. During his tenure at Riverview, the North Wing was planned and constructed; the full-time Emergency Physician Program and Paramedic Services were initiated; many diagnostic and therapeutic services were also initiated, including, coronary-intensive care, nuclear medicine, electro cardiology and fetal monitoring. The Hospital Auxiliary and Hospital Foundation were also formed and developed. Riverview Hospital received its first recognition from the Joint Commission on Accreditation during his tenure. He was a life fellow of The American College of Healthcare Executives.

After leaving Riverview Hospital, Pete assisted in opening the Humana Women’s Hospital in 1983, serving as the Associate Executive Director of the hospital. He completed his career as Vice President of Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis with responsibilities for Professional Services and the Cancer Center.

His professional and community activities included: Indiana Hospital Association, Central Indiana Health Service Agency (President 1978), Blue Cross Indiana Rate Review Commission, State of Indiana Hospital Licensing Council, Noblesville Chamber of Commerce (President 1969-1970), Noblesville Boys & Girls Club (President 1977-1978) and Chairman of Hamilton County United Way (1972).

During retirement Pete volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent de Paul and the food pantry at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Naples, Fla., and for Agape Therapeutic Riding Academy in Cicero.

Pete and Rita’s four children and their spouses blessed them with 12 grandchildren: Hannah (Taylor) Mathews, SarahGrace Mariani, and Julia Mariani; Emily (Luke) Wehner, Allison (Ben) Carter, and Maria Ferrara; Gianluca Mariani and Mia Francesca Mariani; Joseph Mariani, Thomas Mariani, Celeste Mariani and Marco Mariani. He also had eight great-grandchildren: Skylar, Wes, and Cash Mathews; Rigsby, Francesca, and Penelope Wehner; and Charlotte and Lucy Carter.

Nothing gave Pete more joy than being “Papa” to his grandchildren – attending theater performances, volleyball, football, and baseball games, cross country meets, CYO kickball games and horse shows. Having made their family home on Morse Reservoir, Pete welcomed everyone for lake time. He always had omelets and pancakes waiting for your arrival and was ready at any time to bait a hook or pull a tube around the lake.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 19 at Randall & Roberts Funeral Home, 1150 Logan St., Noblesville.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 20 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 5692 Central Ave., Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Noblesville Boys & Girls Club (bgcni.org) and Agape Therapeutic Riding Academy in Cicero (agaperiding.org).

The Mariani family would like to thank the community of caregivers at Woodland Terrace Carmel who blessed Pete with their friendship and loving care in his final days.

Condolences: randallroberts.com