Peter Morgan Pelly, 88, of Burgaw, N.C. made his celestial rendezvous November 1st, 2015. Born in the Bronx, NY to the late Peter Pelly who was born in Kiltormer, Ireland and Sarah (Donahue) Pelly who was born in Inisheer of the Aran Islands, Peter was raised in Staten Island, NY. He is survived by his wife Judy Fitzgerald Pelly.

Peter is also survived by a sister Katherine Pelly of Las Cruces, NM and was proceeded in death by a brother Frank Pelly of Galloway, NJ and former wife Celine Schretlen of Asheville, with whom they raised nine children; Mary DiSalvo of Asheville, Peter (died at birth), Morgan Pelly and wife Lisa of Fletcher, NC, Sharon Argenbright of Sante Fe, NM, Chris Pelly and wife Juanita Igo of Asheville, Michael Pelly of Olympia, WA, Gregory Pelly of Thompson, PA, Celine Pele of McKinleyville, CA and Joe Pelly and wife Sara of Keller, TX. In addition he leaves behind nineteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Pete is also survived by wife Judy's three children, Margaret McChesney, Joe McChesney and wife Casey, and Kate McChesney, and three grandchildren

Pete's career as an engineer with Bell Labs and IBM began at a time when the electronic age was in its infancy and mainframe computers were the size of small automobiles. He greatly enjoyed the challenges this field offered and excelled at demonstrating how electronic services could serve the needs of clients. Later in life Pete began a second career as owner of Peter's Picture Framing in Red Bank, NJ where he met wife Judy, and with whom he enjoyed 32 years of marriage.

Armed with a subversive sense of humor, Pete could say much with a raised eyebrow or sly wink. After oftentimes long work weeks, his children recall treasured Sunday drives with dad exploring the back roads of the Garden State. His curiosity and awe at discovering the new and unknown created in his kids the same quest for exploration. Wherever he lived, Staten Island, the Jersey shore, Sebastian FL and finally in Burgaw, NC, Pete believed firmly in building community wherever you're planted. He and Judy built a rich community of friends in each location including Burgaw. They are grateful for the support shown as Peter neared the end.

He was veteran of WW II serving honorably in the U.S. Army.


The family will receive friends Wednesday 11/4/15 at Harrell's Funeral Home from 5-6:30 PM. A celebration of Peter's life will be scheduled soon.