Thomas Pelaia Obituary
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The son of the late Domenico and Prudenza (Massaria) Pelaia, Thomas was born and raised in Wilmington, DE. He was baptized at St. Peter's Cathedral and attended grammar school at St. Peter's. He graduated from Salesianum in 1952 and went on to LaSalle College where he earned a B.S. in Marketing in 1956. Thomas served in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers as a Specialist, Fourth Class from 1956-1958. After his honorable discharge, Thomas was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a budget analyst from 1960 until his retirement in 1989.
Thomas married his wife, Mary Rose L. (Mercuri) Pelaia on October 5, 1963 at St. John Holy Angels Church. Together they raised their two children, Thomas and Josephine. In his spare time, Thomas greatly enjoyed being out on the water and was an avid fisherman. He also had a knack for photography and was frequently seen with a camera in hand. A founding member of the Italo-American Club in Wilmington, Thomas took pride in being an active member of his community and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Thomas is survived by his loving wife, Mary Rose L. Pelaia; his children, Thomas A. Pelaia II (wife, Maolian) and Josephine DiGiovanni; his sister, Theresa Pelaia; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; six nephews; and one niece. Thomas was preceded in death by his siblings, Philomena Caruso (Nicholas), Joseph Pelaia (Franca), Rose Pelaia, Elizabeth (Alice) Pelaia, Francis Pelaia; and his son-in-law, Stephen R. DiGiovanni.
Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, August 29th, 2024 from 10AM – 10:30AM at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30AM. Entombment will follow immediately in All Saints Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the Pelaia family requests memorial contributions be made in Thomas's name to St. John the Beloved Catholic Church.
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3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808
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