Peter John Basso

PETER J. BASSO 89, formerly of Crete, Illinois, passed away on October, 16, 2014, in Dallas, Texas following a long illness. Pete was preceded in death, by his wife of 56 years, Lillian A. Basso (nee’ Krasinski). He is survived by his 5 daughters: Diana Critelli, Kathi Kolodoski (Jan-Michael her husband), Debbie Richardson, Patty Frachay, and Karen Acosta (Elio her husband). In addition Pete leaves behind his 8 grandchildren: Kristopher and Joshua (Stephanie his wife) Critelli, Stephen (Sarah his wife), Katie, and Danielle Richardson, Michael and Matthew Kolodoski, and Sarah Frachay. He also leaves behind three great grandchildren: Lorelei, Carmine and Ciana Critelli.

Pete was born in East Chicago, Indiana and grew up in Hammond, Indiana as the youngest in the family. He had 3 brothers, Roscoe, Charles, and Frank and 5 sisters; Mabel (Iorio), Betty (Noworyta), Margaret (Baldin), Della (Basso), and Ann (Puntillo). In July of 1943 at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was commissioned as an Ensign and served as an Aerial Navigator during World War II in the South Pacific. Pete received numerous decorations for his service in WW II and was Honorably Discharged from active duty in July of 1945. He continued in the Naval Reserve until 1956 when he retired as a Lieutenant.

After his active military service, Pete attended Purdue University where he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Most of Pete’s professional career was as an engineer for Amoco Chemical Company of Chicago, Illinois. He retired from Amoco in 1987 and he and Lillian moved to Mesa, Arizona. There he began a life of enjoying his grandchildren, golf, and spending more time with Lillian. Following Lillian’s passing in 2006, Pete lived the remainder of his life in Dallas, Texas.

Peter Basso will be remembered as a man who loved his wife, his five daughters, and all of his family. Building people up around him and never having an unkind word about anyone was part of his fabric as a person. Pete was loved and will be missed by all his family and friends.

Visitation and a celebration of Pete’s life will be held at the Stonebriar Funeral Home, 10375 Preston Road, in Frisco, Texas on Sunday, October 19, 2014, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in the Colony, Texas on Monday at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday at Queen of Heaven Mausoleum in Mesa, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.