North Country Leader

Querino A. Alteri enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943, where he served as a Quartermaster for a decade. He is a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. While serving, Mr. Alteri had many responsibilities, including interpreting signals and messages. He was skilled in semaphore, a system involving flag communications and navigation. Additionally, he plotted charts, diagrammed celestial navigation, and was responsible for seamanship; he was relied on to “drive the ship,” and minesweeper.

Mr. Alteri retired from the service in 1953 due to injuries he sustained when the ship he was on sank. He survived, but unfortunately, hundreds of his fellow sailors were lost on that dreadful day.

For his service to the nation, he has received numerous recognitions and medals for the Asian-Pacific Theater, Korea, WWII, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Alteri immigrated to the United States from Italy as a three-year-old in 1927, alongside his mother and siblings. He married Ida (Spazani) Alteri. They shared 67 years together as husband and wife and raised four sons.

In 1971, he opened Alteri’s Bakery, a family business that is still in operation today.

He and his family have been blessed with twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.

Mr. Alteri served as an inspiration to many people over the years, including other members of the Alteri family. Two of his grandsons followed in his footsteps; Lieutenant Santino Alteri and Lieutenant JG Vincenzo Alteri currently serve in the United States Navy.

Today, he enjoys watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play. He continues to enjoy going to camp and hunting with his family. Though he feels blessed and proud to have a large and successful family, he is especially proud of his naval service to the United States. His family is thankful for him and very proud of him.