Alfred J. Pellegrini

Alfred "Fred" J. Pellegrini, 96, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 5, 2016, in his residence at the Highlands in Wyomissing, PA. Fred is survived by his son Vincent A. Pellegrini, M.D. and daughter-in-law, Susan M. Pellegrini, and his son, David S. Pellegrini, Ph.D. and daughter-in-law, Jennifer M. Pellegrini, Ph.D., as well as by his four grandchildren, Cara, Luke, Leah, and Sophia, along with two great-grandchildren, Lucia and Emile. He was predeceased by his wife, Adeline M., the mother of his two children.

Fred was born in Philadelphia, PA on May 16, 1919, the youngest of five sons and two daughters to Vincenzo and Maddelina Pellegrini. A graduate of Central High School in Philadelphia, Fred went on to earn his Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering from the Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University). He began his employment during the Depression as a laborer at a local water heater factory, while attending night school. Through his diligent effort, drive, and talents, Fred worked his way up through management, later becoming President and then co-owner of what had become the Bradford-White Water Heater Company.

Fred was a man of indomitable spirit who engaged and embraced life to the very end. He was widely loved and deeply admired by all who knew him. They readily found in him a source of wisdom and inspiration to live by his core values - first and foremost, an unceasing and selfless devotion to family, along with generosity and loyalty to friends, integrity, discipline and organization, and doing one's very best in any pursuit. Fred was also legendary among family and friends for his love of the Phillies and his passion for following the stock market, as well as his enjoyment of a good game of pinochle or black jack.

His parting leaves a deep and abiding absence for all who survive him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 11, 2016, at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 2810 St. Albans Drive, Sinking Spring, PA 19608. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia. A viewing will be held Thursday from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading and from 9-10 a.m. Friday in the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 225 City Avenue, Suite 104, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. Online condolences can be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.