Col. Louis Joe Pellegrine

Col. Louis J. Pellegrine was born on January 6th, 1936, appropriately on the Epiphany, in Sanford, Mississippi. Born to Italian immigrants and one of sixteen siblings, he grew up surrounded by a loud household and strong Catholic values that carried him through his life.

He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi until he entered the Air Force at the age of seventeen. His experience with Catholic education through the Sisters of Mercy instilled values of dedication to others that shined brightly through him and to others for all 90 years of his life.

In 1953, Col. Pellegrine entered into the Air Force, where he was able to travel the world, most notably to France, Japan and eventually to Italy, where he discovered the heritage of his family in Sicily. These are some of his fondest memories that he continued to share with family and friends.

After 4 years in the Air Force, he commissioned into the Air National Guard, where he dedicated 41 years of service and retiring on January 4th, 1996, as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and a Colonel in the Air National Guard, under the title of Executive Support Staff Officer at the Mississippi Headquarters of the Air National Guard. In this position, he traveled to the Pentagon and the Air Force Academy in Colorado frequently, sharing his talents. He was a dedicated service member, always representing the Air Force proudly anyway he could. He was known for his impeccable work ethic, kind heart, and compassion.

Beyond his career, he was a dedicated community member. He spent many years as a member of Madison the City Redevelopment Authority and Madison the City Chamber of Commerce, earning the Bish Carson Volunteer of the Year award in both 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Colonel Pellegrine was a dedicated Roman Catholic. Serving both St. Therese Parish and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in many capacities and specifically as a Knight of Columbus. He loved talking to others about his faith and served as a sponsor to those becoming Catholic through the OCIA program. His dedication to Catholic education was shown greatly in the support of building St. Anthony Catholic School in Madison. Where he became not just the Papaw of his own family but of the school.

His greatest achievement in life was his family. He was married to the love of his life, Tena, on September 22, 1960, until her death in 2007, raising three children and six grandchildren, known to all as Papaw. They were the true centers of his life.

He is survived by his children: Mark Pellegrine of Dallas, Texas, Stan Pellegrine (Sandra Gail) of Florence and Traci Smith (Chris) of Flora. Grandchildren: John Paul Hofssess (Stan) of Florence, Izzy Thornton (Stan), Alexandria Smith (Traci) of Raleigh, NC, Caleb Pellegrine (Stan) of Charleston, SC, Taylor Smith (Traci) of Madison, and Josh Pellegrine (Stan) of Cheyanne, WY. His siblings: Frank Pellegrine, Ann Porcello, Mattie Morris, and Samie Pellegrine.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Tena Pellegrine. His parents, Joseph and Angelina Pellegrine. His sisters, Mary Beasley, Rose Walters, Lucille Pellegrine, and Lena Bailey, and his brothers, John Pellegrine, Paul Pellegrine, Philip Pellegrine, and Ance Pellegrine.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 20th, from 3 pm-5pm at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland. On Monday, September 21st, a second visitation will be held from 11 am-12 pm followed by Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison. Graveside service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations can be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison, MS in reference to the St. Anthony Catholic School tuition assistance program.

The family would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to the staff at The Madison Health and Rehab for their love and dedication of “Their Mayor,” our Papaw. As well as members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, who continued to nurture his deep-rooted Catholic values outside the confines of the church itself.