Former Sen. Pedro “Pete” Encarnacion moved through public life in the Virgin Islands with a kind of ease that made him instantly familiar to people across St. Croix long before — and long after — he ever held elected office.
Whether he was standing behind a saxophone, walking through a government office, coaching on a baseball field, speaking with residents at a community event, or greeting someone in Frederiksted or Christiansted with his trademark smile, Encarnacion carried himself with a warmth that many friends and former colleagues say never changed, regardless of title or position.
Encarnacion died May 8, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 66.
To some, he was the longtime firefighter who rose through the ranks of the Virgin Islands Fire Service to become director of the department. To others, he was the senator whose practical emergency services background shaped his work in the Legislature during the 26th Legislature from 2005 to 2007. Many also remembered him as the approachable St. Croix administrator under former Gov. John de Jongh Jr. — a role friends often said fit him naturally because he genuinely loved interacting with people.
But beyond the government titles, Encarnacion was also deeply rooted in music, mentorship, church life, sports, and family.
Born March 21, 1960, in Brooklyn to Ana Encarnacion, who preceded him in death, he moved to St. Croix as an infant and proudly identified as a Crucian and Virgin Islander throughout his life.
Music became one of the earliest and most enduring parts of his identity.
Inspired by uncles who performed with the band Five Notes, Encarnacion developed into an accomplished saxophonist whose performances became familiar across St. Croix and beyond. As a teenager, he performed with the St. Croix Majorettes and Marching Band before continuing with the St. Croix Central High School Band, Young Image Band, and later serving as leader of the Code 9 Band. In more recent years, he continued his musical journey with Speak the Word Ministries Worship Band.
Family members said music gave him opportunities to travel extensively throughout the Caribbean and the mainland United States, sharing both his talent and passion with audiences everywhere he went. But those closest to him said music was never simply about performance. It became one of the ways he connected with younger generations, mentoring students in music, instrumental development, discipline, and educational achievement.
Among his proudest accomplishments, relatives said, was helping nurture his son Khyle’s love for music and encouraging him as he developed his own talents.
That instinct toward mentorship and service carried directly into Encarnacion’s professional life.
He spent more than 20 years in the Virgin Islands Fire Service, beginning as a firefighter before steadily rising through the ranks as fire marshal, arson investigator, chief, and eventually director of the agency. During his tenure, former colleagues credited him with helping modernize departmental operations during a period of transition for the Fire Service while maintaining a strong focus on community involvement.
Programs involving young people became especially important to him, particularly the Junior Fire Fighters program, which family members described as one of the accomplishments he cherished most.
Retired Fire Service officials and colleagues have also remembered Encarnacion as someone who brought professionalism and structure into the department during his years of leadership. Former Fire Service personnel recalled his attention to detail as an investigator and his push to modernize operations, including helping transition aspects of the department into a more technology-driven era.
After retiring from the Fire Service in 2004, Encarnacion turned toward elective office, launching a successful campaign for the Legislature from the District of St. Croix.
Serving in the 26th Legislature from 2005 through 2007, Encarnacion chaired the Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice during a time when emergency response, crime, and infrastructure concerns were major issues territory-wide. He also served as the Legislature’s liaison to the White House, reflecting the confidence colleagues placed in his judgment and professionalism.
During his time in office, Encarnacion became known for focusing heavily on public safety and infrastructure issues. Former colleagues later credited him with helping advance long-discussed projects, including improvements connected to Midland Road on St. Croix, while also bringing the perspective of a longtime first responder directly into legislative policymaking.
Still, friends say what often stood out most was not necessarily his politics, but his personality.
Encarnacion remained remarkably approachable throughout his years in office. Residents frequently encountered him at community events, youth activities, church gatherings, baseball games, and neighborhood functions, where conversations rarely felt formal or distant. People who knew him often described him as someone who seemed genuinely energized by interaction and conversation.
That quality became even more visible after former Gov. John de Jongh Jr. appointed him St. Croix administrator in 2007.
The role placed Encarnacion directly at the center of community life on St. Croix — helping oversee projects, attending meetings, responding to residents’ concerns, and serving as one of Government House’s most visible representatives on the island. Those who worked alongside him during that period often said the position suited him perfectly because it allowed him to do what came naturally: engage with people.
Whether handling constituent concerns, attending public functions, or simply moving through the community, Encarnacion carried the same familiar friendliness into Government House that people had long associated with him from the Fire Service, music scene, youth athletics, and church life.
He later continued his public service as assistant commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, while remaining active in youth mentorship and athletics.
Baseball also remained a major part of his life. Encarnacion played for years in government leagues, coached Little League teams, and mentored young athletes through various programs on St. Croix. Much like music and public service, sports became another avenue through which he connected with younger Virgin Islanders and encouraged discipline, teamwork, and personal growth.
In recent years, his faith became an increasingly central part of his life through Speak the Word Ministries, where he continued performing with the worship band and remained active within the congregation and church community.
“Pete understood that public service was not a title, it was a commitment,” his family wrote in an obituary shared this week.
The obituary also described him as “a God-fearing, committed, family-oriented man who showed his love and humility without restriction.”
Encarnacion is survived by his wife, Janie Encarnacion, with whom he shared 34 years of marriage and nearly 48 years together after first meeting as high school sweethearts; daughter Kimberly Torres and son-in-law Wilfredo Torres; son Khyle Encarnacion and special friend Chadelle Lawrence; grandsons Kaylan and Kaysen Torres; sisters Catalina Ledesma and Juliette E. Canegata; brothers-in-law Raul Ledesma, Jamil Ali, Richard Pagan, Gary Miller and Miguel A. Pena; sisters-in-law Lydia Ali, Gladys Miller, Evelyn Pena and Elizabeth Pagan; mother-in-law Juanita V. Bermudez; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, church members, friends, and former colleagues throughout the Virgin Islands community.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ana Encarnacion, as well as pastors Dexter and Dr. Terry Skepple of Speak the Word Ministries.
Funeral services are scheduled for May 22, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road in Kissimmee, Florida, followed by interment at Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial donations, postcards, love gifts, or flowers may be sent to Janie Encarnacion at 5689 Merlin Way, St. Cloud, Florida, 34772, or through Zelle at jencarn@gmail.com
