Peter Cahill Blinn

Peter Cahill Blinn, 82, of Troutman passed away Monday, June 24, 2019 at his home.

Peter was born and raised in Hudson Falls, NY; the fourth of ten children.  Upon graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was twice deployed to Japan, serving his final tour as an Embassy Marine Guard.  While in Tokyo, Peter would meet his wife Florence Beeman, a member of the U.S. Foreign Service.  Sargent Blinn was transferred stateside and the couple was married and started their life together at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  After eight years of service in the Marine Corps Pete chose to return to civilian life and settled in Wheaton, Illinois, where the couple would raise their four children. 

Pete entered the film industry as an unpaid intern at Fred A. Niles, producing commercials for television.  He worked side jobs as a cabinet maker and a part-time police officer to pay the bills as he established his career.  After his internship he earned a spot as an assistant cameraman for Niles where his work would take him all over the country.  After five years at Niles he joined WLS-TV, the local Chicago affiliate of ABC, where he would work for the next 35 years as a cameraman and was elected as the Region Four Vice President of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians. Peter’s career placed him at the heart of political, social and athletic events.  He filmed four Olympic Games, covered the Miracle on Ice victory in 1980, chronicled Pope John Paul II’s visit to Chicago, accompanied Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to Ireland, recorded countless Chicago sporting events, and covered every president from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush.  

Throughout his life he was a visible and active member of his community.  Pete was involved with Little League, Indian Guides, Marine League, the American Legion, Toys for Tots, Holy Trinity Church and Troutman’s Help Ministries.  He loved the outdoors, took great pride in his manicured yard and was an avid hunter.     

Pete had an incredible work ethic and dedication to every task and every person in his life. He had an infectious smile and a gregarious personality.  Pete was the very definition of a family man, working tirelessly to provide for his children and set a standard of devotion and loyalty for all to follow.  He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren, but was truly defined by his love for his wife of nearly 60 years. 

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret (nee Cahill) and Morse Blinn, his sister Peg Doyle and his brother Bob.

Pete is survived by his wife Florence (nee Beeman), sons Peter (Linda) and Erik, and daughters Marguerite Blinn DiNovi (Fiore) and Katie Hoerner (Garrett), as well as his sisters Gail Simione (Mike), Susan Simione, Judy Comar, Pat Luciano (Louis), Nancy Bates (Al), Jean Wicks, and Penny Clary (Jim).  Peter is also survived by five grandchildren, Peter, Tom, and Charles Blinn, and Diana and Abigail Hoerner, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with full military honors. The family will visit with friends Friday evening 6:00-8:00 pm at Troutman Funeral Home.

We would like to thank Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hospice of Iredell County, countless friends and neighbors, and his loving caregivers for making his last year as peaceful and comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Troutman, 225 Morgan Street, Troutman, NC 28166 or Hospice Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 and online condolences may be made to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family of Peter Cahill Blinn.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Peter Cahill Blinn, please visit our floral store.