Pietro A. “Pete” Cifolelli

Pietro A. “Pete” Cifolelli, 89 of Drexel Hill, PA passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on April 20, 2024.

He was the loving husband of Alessandra (Barile-Altobelli).

Pietro was born in Miranda, Italy, in the Province of Isernia. He traveled to the United States at the age of 15 as he was a U.S. citizen due to his mother (Santa) being born in the state of Oklahoma.  After his arrival in the U.S., Pietro was able to bring his immediate family (mother, father, sisters (Angiolina, Maria)) to live, thrive, and grow their families in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pietro met his wife, Alessandra, in the Italian American community of South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were married on May 27, 1961. They shared a unique connection to their Italian birthplaces; both were from two different mountain towns within the Molise region of Italy, less than six miles apart. They raised their five children in Philadelphia, eventually moving to Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Pietro was a carpenter by trade, a member of the Carpenters Union Local 1050 for 65 years. He worked on many of our local Philadelphia “landmarks” like Veterans Stadium, the Blue Route, the EL, I-95 bridges, the PSFS building, and several other Center City high rises.

Pietro enjoyed growing an abundance of tomatoes, figs, vegetables, and herbs in his backyard garden. He also prided himself in his wine making abilities and then sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. He believed in teaching his family the value of hard work in leading by example.

In addition to his wife, Pietro is survived by his sister, Angiolina Barile; five children, Santa “Sandy” (Peter) Frattarelli, Gabriele (Elizabeth) Cifolelli, Orazio (Karen) Cifolelli, Francesco (Kathleen Gormley) Cifolelli, Mario (Carissa) Cifolelli; eleven grandchildren, Gabriel Cifolelli, Antonella (Raymond) Lamore, Olivia Frattarelli, Matthew Cifolelli, Stefano Frattarelli, Christopher Cifolelli, Grace Cifolelli, Nicholas Cifolelli, Alexander Cifolelli, Michael Cifolelli and Aidan Cifolelli; and two great-grandchildren, Liliana and Raymond Lamore. He is preceded in death by his parents, Orazio and Santa Cifolelli, his sister Maria Labella, his siblings Antonio and Maria (passed away in infancy), his brother-in-law Nicola Labella, and his brother-in-law Angelo Barile.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Friday, April 26, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Danjolell Memorial Home of Broomall, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA, to his Funeral Saturday, April 27, 2024 starting at 10:00 am ALL IN CHURCH at St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 3500 School Lane, Drexel Hill, PA with the funeral mass starting at 11:00 am. Interment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery, 2398 Marlton Pike W, Cherry Hill, NJ.

Arrangements made at Danjolell-Stigale Memorial Home of Aston.

Condolences can be made at www.danjolell.com

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