Peter John Tsirigos

Peter J. Tsirigos AT&T Program Manager at AT&T Mobility and a sports enthusiast who coached and guided youth throughout his life Peter J. Tsirigos, who worked at AT&T for over 30 years in a variety of positions creating high quality, sustainable customer relationships, died Saturday of cancer at the age of 52. Pete liked his job, but what he loved best was mentoring and coaching kids. At an early age, he collected and distributed sports equipment to children he coached in Baltimore’s Inner City, or Metro-Washington, D.C and for the past 18 years in Georgia. Transferred by AT&T from Baltimore to Atlanta in 1995, Peter bridged kids from all walks of life through baseball, softball and basketball, always available to listen and help. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, he attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and graduated in 1979. While in a class, he observed a well-dressed, suited man enter the classroom to fix a computer. The tech took 15 minutes and laid the bill on the desk next to him. Peter looked at the invoiced amount and decided he was getting into technology. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Washington Adventist University, Takoma Park, Maryland, Peter entered Arundel Institute of Technology and was recruited by AT&T. He earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University in 1992. Pete believed in modeling positive behavior so children could benefit. Unifying kids from every demographic, he taught them collaboration, teamwork and striving to be the best they could be. Volunteering to coach youth recreational and travel ball teams in Roswell, Cumming, Alpharetta, and Milton, he believed in giving kids a chance to dream and had a passion to help girls get the same opportunities in sports as boys. Pete was a remarkable father to his two children, Anthony and CaraMia Tsirigos. When Anthony was 2 years old, Pete decided to have Lasik surgery. When asked why, he said, “I want to see the smile on my son’s face when he runs into our bedroom in the morning and not have to look for my glasses.” Graduating this Friday, Anthony is now a Volunteer Assistant Coach at Kennesaw State University following in his father’s footsteps. When daughter CaraMia entered Wesleyan, he coached and supported the girls’ softball teams facilitating her recruitment and securing a softball scholarship at Indiana University. Often the kids he coached turned to him for help in selecting a college. Pete would talk to the university coaches, speaking on their behalf. He knew each one needed the right coach and school to open the path to their future and ensured success. When he knew of someone in need, he would set out to help find a solution, presenting the idea to them and letting them decide how they would accomplish what was needed. Never judging where a person was, he uplifted and provided guidance to help them see the way out. His positive attitude toward life and life’s challenges offered hope and opportunity to those that felt there were none. In addition to his son and daughter, Pete is survived by his mother, Kiki Tsirigos of Naples, FL, two sisters, Esther Michaels of Forest Hill, MD, and Maritsa Lemasson of Naples, FL; his former wife Mia Ciminello Tsirigos-Ferrell; niece Semeli Economou, and nephews Erik Fitez and Alex Fitez. Visitation is at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Rd, Roswell, GA 30075, on Wednesday 1:00 - 3:00 PM and 5:00 - 7:00 PM with a service Thursday at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peter's memory to Atlanta FCA Baseball and Softball Ministry, C/O Mike Shaheen, 525 W. Magnolia Circle, Johns Creek, GA 30005, including the following routing number in the memo field: 1081Y700.

Peter John Tsirigos

March 27, 1961 - December 7, 2013