Peter A. Ottaviano

Peter A. Ottaviano, Commander, Ret., U.S. Navy
07/08/1933 - 09/26.2015

Peter Ottaviano died Saturday morning, September 26, 2015, following a stroke.  He was 82.

Born in Schenectady, New York in 1933, youngest of four children, Pete was a first-generation American on his father's side.  He is predeceased by his father, Nicandro Ottaviano, who was born in Venafro, Italy, emigrating to the United States as a youth.  His mother, Amelia Dente Ottaviano, second-generation American, was born in Schenectady, New York.

After graduating from Harvard University with a history degree, Peter joined the U.S. Navy, and moved to San Diego.  He worked with Rohr Industries, then moved to the San Diego Community College District, working both in finance, and later as a history instructor.

He is survived by his wife, Merleen O'Connor Ottaviano, and his well-loved stepchildren, Kathleen Lis, Linda Lis, Stephen (Lore) Lis  and Jeanne (Dale) Lis Eastman, as well as eight grandchildren (one of whom died in 2012).  He is predeceased by a stepdaughter, Eileen (Myriah Daniels) Lis, who died in June.  His sister, Gioia Ottaviano, and brother Nicandro Ottaviano, reside in Schenectady.  He also is survived by three nieces and a nephew.

In his Julian years, Pete was a parishioner at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church. He served on the fund raising committee for the building of the Julian Library.

Peter loved opera, classical music, Dixieland, the Padres, and reading, especially historical biographies.

In 1999 Peter was diagnosed with leukemia, and after several years of chemotherapy and step cell treatment, successfully beat the disease, only to suffer head trauma in a fall in April, 2004, which put him in a wheelchair.  Nevertheless, he enjoyed his many friends and activities in Julian until his stroke last April.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, October 26th at 11am at St. Elizabeth's of Hungary Catholic Church in Julian.  There will be a reception following.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Pete's honor to either the Leukemia Association or to Harvard University Stem Cell Research.

Bonham Bros. & Stewart Mortuary and Cremation Service is assisting the family

 Service Information