Colonel (Ret.) Peter N. Micale III passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 6, 2018. Pete was born on September 28, 1930 in New York City. He attended Cardinal Hayes High School, Fordham University, the College of William and Mary, and Loyola University. After graduating from Fordham in 1953, he joined the Macy’s Junior Executive program while waiting for his commission from the United States Air Force. On April 24, 1954, after a brief nine-year courtship, he married the love of his life Josephine Nesti.
His Air Force career began immediately after their honeymoon at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. Pete’s Air Force career spanned 27 years and one day, taking his growing family across the United States and abroad. Pete and Jo welcomed five children, thirteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He was a Vietnam War veteran, earning the Bronze Star Medal, and a proud member of the United States Air Force Air Weather Service. In 1978, he arrived at his final duty station, Goodfellow Air Force Base where he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for outstanding service as the School Commander of the 3480th Technical Training Group. He retired from the Air Force in 1981 and subsequently owned a construction company, was a Meteorologist on KIDY TV, served as a San Angelo City Councilman, and worked for the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo as the editor of The Angelus.
Pete and Jo were avid members of Holy Angels Catholic Church where Pete served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. He was a 67-year member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a District Deputy and Color Corps Commander of the 4th degree. Pete had a zest for life and loved to have fun. He most cherished his roles as Dad and Nonno to his ever-expanding family. He was always supportive and interested in hearing all the latest news through phone calls, Facetime, and visits. He will be so missed.
Pete enjoyed happy years with his second wife Elaine Finn Micale at Royal Estates in San Angelo.
He is survived by his son Col (Ret.) Peter N. Micale IV (Diane) and daughters Rosy Hester (John), Ginamaria Micale, Paula Baierski (Chris), and Annie Webb (David); his grandchildren Dennis Hester (Alexis), Benjamin Hester (Julie), Don Hale (Genia), Capt. Peter N. Micale V (Codye), Sarah Buesing (Dave), Larry Micale, Anna Micale, PO1 Michael Baierski (Chrissy), Joseph Baierski, Christophor Baierski, Jameson Webb, Thomas Webb and Meredith Webb; his great-grandchildren Ge’Micah Jones, Ava Hester, Miles Hester, Parker Buesing, and Violet Hester; and his beloved nieces and nephew Joanne Nesti, Christine Mazziotti, and Michael Nesti, their spouses and children.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents Jenny and Peter Micale, his wife Josephine Micale, and Elaine Finn Micale.
The entire Micale family would like to offer our deepfelt gratitude for the wonderful care of the many doctors, nurses, office staff, and caregivers who treated Pete with love, respect, and dignity. May God bless you all, too many wonderful people to name.
Visitation will be held at Johnson’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 12th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm followed by a Vigil/Rosary service at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Col. (Ret.) Micale will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery where he will share a final resting place with his beloved Joey at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Angels Catholic Church, 2202 Rutgers, San Angelo, TX 76904 or Fisher House at www.fisherhouse.org.
