Peter Morreale

Peter Frank Morreale passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2014, following a brief illness.
Peter was born to Frank and Hattie Schwartz Morreale on November 6, 1922. Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Peter spent the majority of his adult life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with his wife of 60 years, Karen Pedersen Morreale and their five children. He was a sales representative for Woodward Wight and Company serving New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast until his retirement. He was a staff sergeant in the United States Army and was very proud of his service to his country. As a World War II Veteran he was devoted to his many veteran friends at the Biloxi VA. He was a devout Catholic and attended St. Thomas Catholic Church where he served in leadership positions for many years. Following Hurricane Katrina, he found a church home in St Theresa's Catholic Church in Gulfport, Mississippi where he regularly attended their Saturday afternoon Mass.
He was devoted to his wife Karen and especially enjoyed sending her weekly love letters and flowers during the last years of her life. He will be remembered for his basic sense of fairness and ethics, never saying an unkind word about anyone, his strength to his family after the passing of his wife and son, his fierce love of New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, faithfully watching the Saints in his favorite logo sweatshirt never admitting that he was rooting for the opposing team, his genuine interest in everyone he met, being a great conversationalist and storyteller with a keen sense of humor, and love of fishing, especially with his best friend Bruce Cornell.
The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Harry Becnel and his group of friends at the VA as well as his neighbors for the loving support that they have provided to their father.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Karen Morreale and son, Cary Paul Morreale.
He is survived by his children, Lise (Trent) Williams of Chapel Hill, NC; Leslie Morreale of Baton Rouge, LA; Peter Morreale (Peter Dobson) of Nipoma, CA; Michelle (Mike) Grinder of Gulfport MS; grandchildren Stephanie Key, Sofie Grinder, Zack Grinder, Chris Meyers, Adam Morreale, Courtney Williams, Corinne Cain, Adele Williams, and Peter Williams; and four great grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Noon at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Long Beach with a visitation for family and friends from 11:00 AM until the Mass. Burial with military honors will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.