Douglas Edward Pietramale

November 14, 1960 - November 17, 2023

Preceded in death by his parents Jack and Joyce Pietramale.

Survived by his wife Lori; son Jason (Emilie) Pietramale; grandson Tommy; siblings Fr. John Pietramale, Deb Pietramale-Wright, Chris Pietramale, and Rebecca (Ed) Hazel; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in Doug’s name to the Nebraska NIL 1890 initiative.

On November 14, 1960, Douglas Edward Pietramale was born in south Omaha to Jack and Joyce Pietramale, the third of five children.

Doug attended St Joseph’s Catholic School through 8th grade. He attended and graduated from St. Paul VI High School where he was a four sport varsity athlete playing football, basketball, baseball, and track. At 16, Doug started bodybuilding and competing in competitions.

When Doug was 20, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

While working at Park Ave Health Club’s front desk, Doug met his future wife, Lori Hekl. They enjoyed weight lifting and working out together. Doug and Lori were married on August 18, 1984. They took their honeymoon on a cruise around the Caribbean.

On April 18,1986, Doug and Lori welcomed their only child, Jason, into the world.

Doug worked at First Data for 13 years, driving himself to work in a handicap accessible van, until he eventually went on full term disability. Doug was so appreciative of all the wonderful co-workers he had at First Data who would assist him with many tasks that he wasn’t able to do by himself.

Doug could often be found around his neighborhood giving kids rides on his scooter or talking to many of the neighbors. He often asked his neighbors for help doing household projects that he couldn’t do himself. He was so thankful to live on a street with such caring people who were as much family as they were neighbors.

Doug attended as many of Jason’s school and sporting events as he could, even becoming an honorary Scout Master for Jason’s troop, so the whole troop could earn their disability awareness merit badge. He was at Jason’s Eagle Scout ceremony crying his eyes out. Even when it was difficult for Doug to get around, he made sure he was still on the field for Jason’s senior night football game for Omaha Central and at Jason’s high school graduation.

When Lori was still working, many people would come to the house to feed Doug lunch. It started with his dad, Jack Pietramale, who would come over twice a day, every weekday. Doug really appreciated that time with his dad. After his dad got sick and passed his mom Joyce, Fr. John, Sheila Bell, Ellen Carlson, LeRoy Pietramale and Don Faraboni all took turns feeding Doug on different days. He loved visiting with them and appreciated the time that they spent with him. He especially loved hearing LeRoy and Don argue about sports on the days they both came to feed him.

Many of Doug’s former high school classmates from Paul VI, family, and friends around the neighborhood would stop by and see Doug when they could. Doug was really touched when they would stop by, or when his cousin, Joey, would come watch a Husker game with him.

Doug was definitely a sports fan, but he especially loved Husker football. He really enjoyed Husker anything: basketball, baseball, and even volleyball. He enjoyed watching and it always made his day. The television in Doug’s room was always tuned to either the news or some sort of sporting event.

With the help of many people, Doug was able to attend Jason and Emilie’s wedding on July 18, 2015. Jason was never certain that his dad would be around to attend his wedding day, so he was very happy to get to push him down the aisle that day.

Doug was also able to meet his only grandson, Thomas Armando Pietramale during the Covid pandemic in 2020 when Jason and Emilie stopped by on their way home from the hospital. For the next 3 ½ years, Tommy and his grandpa got to be around each other a lot as Lori retired and watched Tommy while Jason and Emilie were at work. Many times Lori would walk in on Tommy sitting on Doug’s bed and hear Tommy say, “Grandpa and I are talking!”

Doug was very lucky to have a wife like Lori who took such good care of him. There is no doubt why Doug was able to live as long as he did and get to see his son and his grandson grow up.

Though Doug was dealt a very tough hand in life, he never let it get the best of him, and always had a positive attitude with a smile on his face.

A celebration of life for Doug will be held Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 1:00pm at Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 S. 86th St, Omaha, Nebraska 68114.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.westlawnhillcrest.com for the Pietramale family.