Joseph Peter Pellegrino lived 86 remarkable years, leaving behind a legacy of love, loyalty, service, and devotion to his family, community, and country. Above all, Joe was a family man. For 66 wonderful years, he shared his life with his high school sweetheart and beloved wife, Patricia Pellegrino (Sbarbaro). Together, they built a beautiful family and a lifetime of memories.
A proud and dedicated soldier, Joe served 26 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Early in his military career, he completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, where his bravery and service earned him the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. Throughout his career, he served at numerous military installations across the country, taking pride in every assignment.
Among his distinguished assignments, Joe served with the Strategic Air Command in Washington, D.C., supporting Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, along with other high-ranking military and civilian officials. He was among the select military officers entrusted with being handcuffed to “the football,” the briefcase carrying the nation’s nuclear codes. H...