Melvin George “Pete” Rummings

Melvin George “Pete” Rummings died suddenly at his home in Connecticut on December 23, 2025. He was 91.

Born on September 26, 1934, in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, Pete was the son of the late Albert J. Rummings and Margret Shemory Rummings. He attended local schools and was a proud member of the Jersey Shore High School Class of 1953, where he played football and developed a lifelong love of sports.

It was at Jersey Shore High School that Pete met his classmate and future wife, the late Jane Cohick Rummings. Married for 69 years, they were true partners in every sense–raising their daughter, Amanda Tiernan of Connecticut, and working side by side in the family business, Cohick Brothers Meat Company, in Salladasburg, Pennsylvania. Pete was highly respected for his success in the meat business and known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and dedication.

A devoted Penn State football fan, he famously never missed a home game, often delivering meat to customers on his way to and from the stadium for decades. Earlier in his career, Pete also worked in the family stone business, Rummings Bluestone, founded by his father. Over the years, he cut and delivered more than one million tons of stone throughout the Northeast, driving routes from Buffalo to Baltimore and everywhere in between.

Pete loved being on the move and enjoyed travel of all kinds–from New York City and Florida to the jersey shore and sporting events. Known affectionately as “Pappy” to family and friends, he was deeply devoted to his loved ones and especially proud of his granddaughter, making an extraordinary 884 trips from Pennsylvania to Connecticut to visit her. In his final days, he was grateful to see her sing and perform, including a special appearance at the legendary Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, an experience that brought him great joy.

Pete also cherished life’s simple pleasures: good food, hunting, family time, and striking up conversations with anyone fortunate enough to sit or stand nearby. He had a gift for making connections and leaving people feeling like friends.

Pete is survived by his daughter, Amanda Rummings Tiernan; his son-in-law, Lee Kennedy Tiernan, both of Connecticut, his granddaughter, Charley Cohick Tiernan of Nashville, Tennessee; his brother, William Rummings of Jersey Shore; and his beloved cat, Alfie. He will be deeply missed.

He was laid to rest in the White Pine Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, Jersey Shore.