Pedro Betancourt

This obituary was lovingly written and submitted by the family.

Pedro “Pete” Betancourt, age 88, of Laurel, Maryland passed away on September 23, 2021 at home surrounded by family. He was born on August 1, 1933 to Esteban Betancourt and Alejandrina [Aquino] Betancourt in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico.  The youngest of 14 children, “Pello”, as he was called by his immediate family, grew up on a farm helping his parents cultivate sugar cane and tropical fruits.  As a youngster, he was lively, curious and he loved to learn—characterisitcs he retained as an adult.  He also possessed a great sense of humor.

Pedro Betancourt proudly served in the U.S. Army Military Police in the 1950's.  This significant life experience expanded his education and broadened his knowledge.  It instilled in him a deep sense of discipline and loyalty, and reinforced an already solid work ethic. After his service in the Army, Pete worked in a print shop as a platemaker and lithographer for the Patent Reproduction Company in Washington, D.C.  He retired in 1998 after working there for over 40 years.

He loved to garden, travel and walk for exercise, as well as play cards and cook for his family.  He enjoyed coaching youth baseball and basketball teams, and was an avid fan of Washington area teams—including the Nationals, the Capitals, the Washington Football Team and the University of Maryland Terrapins.

Dad/Papa cherished his family and considered the roles of husband/father/grandfather as his number one priority.  He loved and cared for his children and grandchildren equally, and believed his daughters and granddaughters deserved the same opportunities as his son and grandsons.  He was a man ahead of his time.

Pedro is survived by his beloved family:  his dear wife of 65 years, Raquel [Tovar]; his dear children Rachel Ann (Don), David (Lynn), and Cindy (Mike); his dear grandchildren John, Kae, Elena, Rachel, Ryan and Grace; as well as many dear nieces, nephews and cousins.  He treasured his friends from work and from his neighborhood, and regarded them as family.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents and 13 siblings Alfonso, Ventura, Antonio, Fabian, Inocencio, Isabel, Margarita, Norberto, Isabel, Marcial, Aida, Esteban and Luis.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, October 3 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Donaldson Funeral Home, 313 Talbott Ave, Laurel, MD 20707.  A funeral service will be held the following day, Monday, October 4 at 12 pm, the Chapel at Donaldson’s Funeral Home, Laurel.  Interment with Military Honors will follow at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Laurel, Maryland.

Memorial donations may be made to the Maryland City Volunteer Fire Department; the American Cancer Society; the American Red Cross.