Angelo Pellegata
My father in law, Angelo Pellegata, passed away last week. There are no words to describe how much we loved him. The following was eloquently written by Tom Lynch, Angelo's very close friend. I think it does him great justice:
Angelo Pellegata, a resident of Milford for 40 years, died on Tuesday morning, January 25, 2011 at Genesys Health Care in Grand Blanc surrounded by his family who had kept vigil with him since he suffered a stroke two weeks ago. He was 76 years old. Born on March 1, 1934 near the Eastern Market in Detroit’s lower east side, he was the son of Italian immigrants Biagio and Victoria Pellegata. Angelo met the love of his life, Eileen Bolchi in the first grade. By the sixth grade she agreed to be his girl friend. Their first date was to the Rialto Theater and after college and honorable service with the U.S. Army during the Korean War, they were married in July of 1957. An engraver by trade, most of his career was spent in marketing and advertising. He held the Chrysler account with Ross Roy advertising with whom he worked for fifteen years before going with the Valeron Corporation. After a heart attack in 1995, he retired but kept himself busy with golf and good friends, indulging his life long interest in history, monthly meetings with pals from the old neighborhood, morning coffee with his buddies, nights out to dinner or the casinos with Eileen and caring for his sons and five granddaughters. “La familia” – it’s all about family – is something Angelo always believed and he had a gift for making everyone feel like family. When Meijers opened a new store in Hartland, Angelo took a job as a greeter for the pure enjoyment he took in being among people. Angelo was a man who had a deep respect for his fellow human, a fierce love for his family, a deep faith, and endearing style.
In addition to his wife of 52 years, Eileen, he is survived by his sons, Dean (Donna) Pellegata of Howell, Ken Pellegata of Hartland and Carl (Mindy) Pellegata of Algonac. Also his five granddaughters, Leah (Joe) Ohmer, Lauren, Caitlyn, Mia and Ava; a brother, Frank (Mary) Pellegata of Northville, a nephew Steve Pellegata and a host of dear friends who join with his family in mourning the death of a dear man and giving thanks to God for his life among them.
