Peter Frederick Catelli

Coats, NC: Mr. Peter Frederick Catelli, age 79 of Remington Drive, Coats passed away Monday, January 13, 2025 at Caylx Senior Living in Fuquay-Varina, NC with family. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00AM Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton Grove. Officiating will be Father Al Riquelme, C.Ss.R. Pastor. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. You are welcomed to join the family to pray the Holy Rosary at 6:00PM Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson. Following the Rosary, the family will receive friends until 8:00PM.

Peter was born May 29, 1945 in Rouses Point, New York to the late Paul and Albertine (LeClerc) Catelli. Peter, the middle of three brothers, grew up in Rouses Point on Lake Champlain getting in and out of mischief. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Environmental Services and Forestry at Syracuse University in upstate New York. He loved being outdoors and after achieving his Eagle Scout Award from the Boys Scouts, he created various forestry badges. He was a member of an Intercollegiate Outing Club, where he met his bride Virginia Mary Bate Catelli (RIP 10/14/24). They had a short courtship and married on June 4, 1966. After a honeymoon trip where they spent the summer in Ukiah California, they returned to Syracuse, New York where they began their family. 

Throughout his life, Peter held several professions including tree trimmer, teacher, landscaper, and various construction endeavors. In 1985 the family relocated to New Hampshire when the building industry shifted away from their home in Syracuse. They found a welcome and happy home there and many outdoor projects to interest his curious mind. Peter was always supported by his wife Virginia, and they enjoyed working together. Together they also volunteered with in Worldwide Marriage Encounter for 25 years, and volunteered in their local Catholic Church with teen ministries, catechism classes, and marriage preparation classes. Peter also became a Knight of Columbus where he began the “Cookie Crew” at their parish. Together with Virginia, Peter relocated to Coats in 2005 where he continued to work on private construction jobs until 2019 and was still locally consulted on several small building projects until 2023. In his last years, friends and family had the joy of his vegetable garden where Peter spent the majority of his time. 

Peter’s survivors are, four children Rose Virginia Catelli West, Alan Peter Catelli, Mary Louise Catelli Thibodeau, and Ruth Ann Catelli and three children in Law: Curtis West, Mark Thibodeau, Jennifer Catelli. Fourteen grandchildren: Nicole West Brown, Stephanie West, Theodore West, Veronica West Wilson, Alexis West, Christina West, Danielle West, Rebecca Catelli, Peter F. Catelli, Ruth F. Catelli, Aife Catelli, Ursula Catelli, Rachel Thibodeau, and Sebastian Thibodeau. Two grandsons in law: Michael Brown and Saxton Wilson. Four great grandchildren Benjamin, Leslie, Eloise and Russell. Brother and sister-in-law, Armond and Elizabeth Catelli and their children, Ann Catelli, Mary M. Catelli, and Jennifer Catelli Person. 

Being a “stumpy” Peter loved trees; we encourage you to plant a tree! Though not necessary donation can also be made in memory of Peter (and Virginia) to his beloved church, Our Lady of Guadalupe https://ourladyofguadalupenewtongrove.org/other-donations or Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, PO Box 100, Newton Grove, NC 28366.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.roseandgraham.com.

The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements by Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC.