Suffolk-Peter "Abu" Adebola Olanitori, Sr. passed away on Wednesday; May 28, 2025.  He was born in the town of Owo in Ondo State, Nigeria (West Africa) to the late Chief Salami Olanitori Owashoyen and Mrs. Jinatu Adebumola Olanitori (Okungbadero).

Peter Sr. received his early education in boarding schools in Ondo State, Nigeria. He was an outstanding soccer player in Owo-"his hometown" and drew large crowds of people to come see him play throughout secondary school. His soccer name was "Abi Jopley," as he was well-known in the soccer world in his town. Peter, Bola, as he is called sometimes came to the United States in the early seventies, living in Brooklyn, New York City. He attended Pace University in Queens, New York for a while and joined the soccer team there. He migrated to the Norfolk area and enrolled in Old Dominion University, where he received a soccer scholarship. He brought those soccer skills from Nigeria to Old Dominion University Soccer Program and excelled alongside other great Monarchs. In 1974, he helped ODU Soccer team to accomplish four key wins to help them make National headlines. Bola graduated from Old Dominion University in '76 with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and in '79 with a Masters degree in Public Administration.

He was employed in a variety of places. While attending ODU, Peter was employed at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital as an orderly (patient attendant) and drove Yellow Cab Taxi to help pay for his education. Years later, after graduating from ODU, he was employed as faculty at Tidewater Community College and taught at Norfolk State University, where he would teach Economics. Peter, saw an opportunity and went into the Insurance Industry and worked as an Agent with New York Life and Prudential Insurance Companies for a few years.

In 1977, Peter married the love of his life, Sandra Joyce Brown, who later became known as "Mrs. O." Then, in 1984, he ventured out on his own and started- "Express Cleaners"-a Family-Owned Dry Cleaners in Chesapeake, Va. The business grew and he became a well-known
Businessman in the Hampton Roads area (and beyond) for providing an impeccable service to ALL people and major Institutions like ODU and NSU for their respective ROTC programs, Military Bases, State Parks, And other government Contracts. He took pride in teaching the kids, especially Peter Jr., other family and friends the Dry-Cleaning Business. In the 90's he became a member of the Chesapeake Men for Progress and helped to organize the Hampton Roads Nigerian Organization.

He loved his Nigerian people, culture and food. Cooking Nigerian food was a passion and he loved cooking it and sharing it with all, always throwing parties to remember also with food, drinks, and music the whole neighborhood could Dance to. Peter traveled extensively throughout the United States and back to Nigeria every year, due to his affinity for uplifting Nigerians and African-Americans in the diaspora.

Peter (Bola) Sr., was married for over 30 years to his loving first wife, Sandra Joyce Olanitori (Brown) of Chesapeake, Virginia and is survived by his 5 children: Adetola, Peter(Akorede) Jr., Ridwun, Tolu and Princess; two grandchildren- Bryant(Akorede) Jr., and Peter(Kayode) III; several sisters and brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives in Nigeria, United States and Europe. Bola was very passionate about his Nigerian people and culture. He used his skills, knowledge and assets to help his Nigerian people to survive and manage in this country as well as around the World. Peter, always showed up for his People!

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday; June 7, 2025 at St. Paul COGIC; Norfolk, Va.  Viewing will be 4-6pm Friday; June 6, 2025 at Fitchett-Mann Funeral Services; 1146 Rodgers Street; Chesapeake, VA  233234.  Burial will be in Carver Cemetery; Suffolk, Va.

Please keep the family in your prayers.

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