Peter "Uncle Pete" Figlia, Jr.

Peter Figlia, born in Manhattan, affectionately known as the mayor of New York died on March 26th, with his wife by his side, at the Hospice House of Huntington, West Virginia. Peter, a man of few words with an intense personality could be intimidating while his smile and unusual blue eyes charmed everyone. He was born in New York, New York on August 18th, 1934. His parents were immigrants from Italy. His father, Peter Figlia, and his mother, Francesca Lequaglia were tailors in New York. Peter was the youngest of their five children. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother George Wallington (renowned jazz pianist), sister Lyda Figlia, brother Anthony, and a special nephew Peter Figlia. He is survived by his wife, Joanna Sexton (Hattie and Nan’s), sister Rita McCormick nephews George Figlia, Peter Miller, Louis Venosta and niece Francesca Glasser, several great and great great nieces and nephews and his former wife BJ Figlia.

Peter was a successful businessman. He started an air conditioning business with his family in the Lower East Side. Then he operated out of 1600 Broadway with a Printing and copy business and trucking and messenger service. Peter was the consummate bon vivant of New York City. He dressed impeccably and was well known in the finest establishments whether it was Patsy’s, The Carlysle, The Copacabana, The Pierre or Studio 54 and Elaines. He had a standing table at Rao’s. He loved fine cigars, fast horses and Joanna his wife.

With his brother’s life in the music world, Peter had entrée and was lucky to become friends with Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Mose Allison, Miles Davis, Ben Gazzara, Tony Lo Bianco and a host of others. It was a perfect fit that Jazz Editions, his brother’s music company, was passed on to him. He was very active mentoring young musicians to the end of his life. Peter cared about fundraising for The Cerebral Palsy Foundation of New York, The Boy Scouts of America and The Bowery Mission.

He became involved in acting belonging to SAG/AFTRA and GIAA making him even more celebrated at The Friars Club where he was a long-time member. His stage name was ‘Uncle Pete’ (From a Television series named ‘Uncle Pete on the Street’) He appeared in movies, ANALYZE THAT, THE COMEDIAN, AMERICAN GANGSTER and 50 others, along with several TV Series including LAW AND ORDER, IMPOSTERS, 24 and THE SOPRANOS.

But Peter hadn’t finished working yet. When his family asked him to open an additional location in the Bronx, at age 82 Peter willingly came full circle to the air conditioning business he started as younger man.

Peter had unique expressions, “Eh ya writin’ a book?”, “Stop running around like a picnic ant!”, “I’m gonna murderize you!”, “Whaddya kiddin’?” Peter loved limousines, helicopters, town cars but he also took the train. Once on the subway, with Joanna, a young thug was pressed up against him with ideas of picking his pocket. Peter, with his soft deep voice looked the kid dead in the eye and said, “Why don’t you relax!” When the doors opened, the kid knocked over half the crowd trying to get out.

Men like Peter are disappearing rapidly. He loved and was loved and will be missed. And most likely very soon he will be saying – “Hey! How ya doin’? My name’s Peter too!”

Services for Mr. Figlia will be on Monday, March 31, 2025 at 6:00 pm at the Reger Funeral Chapel with Visitation/Gathering an hour before at 5:00PM at Reger Funeral Home, Huntington. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.regerfh.com.