Peter J. DePrima, Jr, was born January 7, 1949 in Brooklyn, NY, the only child of Alice and Peter J. DePrima, Sr. He grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from Fort Hamilton High School, and earned his Bachelor's degree at night from Pace University. Deacon Pete also earned his Master degree at night from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, and a Master of Science degree from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken. He received his Certificate of Diaconal Studies from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Madison, and was ordained into the Permanent Diaconate on June 12, 2010. He and his wife, Regina, earned their certifications as Spiritual Directors from the Cenacle of Our Lady of Divine Providence in Clearwater, FL, in June 2015.

Deacon Pete served in the U.S. Army as a Specialist 5^th Class and is retired from Avaya, where he was the Director of International Network Operations.

Pete and Regina have three children and two grandchildren. They have been parishioners at Saint James Church since 1981.

Deacon Pete participates in several parish ministries, including the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of Malta (Associate), and the Men of Saint James. He is also responsible for recruiting and training the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Deacon Pete is the Spiritual Advisor to the Metuchen Cursillo Movement, Saint James Men of Charity, and the Family Centered Catechesis Program. He is also the Spiritual Chair of the Northern New Jersey Chapter of Legatus, the world’s premier membership organization for Catholic business leaders committed to learn, live and spread the Catholic Faith.