Peter Cecchinelli

Captain Peter Jerrad Cecchinelli died peacefully at home on May 18th, 2009 surrounded by his loving family after a courageous one-and-a-half year battle with cancer. Pete was born in Rockford, Illinois on January 19th, 1943 to Frank and Katherine "Betty" Thatcher-Cecchinelli.     Pete grew up in Rockford, Illinois where he graduated from West Rockford High in 1961. He went on to the University of Illinois in Champagne. He graduated from the College of Aviation in 1963 with a degree in Aviation Maintenance and Airline Transport Piloting. He began his commercial career with United Airlines in 1965. He was in the Inactive Air Force Reserves from 1964-1971. He was based in Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He flew the Caravelle, DC-6 and Boeing 720. He was promoted to Captain in 1983 and was Check Airman on the Boeing 727, DC-8, DC-10, 747 and 747-400. Peter accrued more than 22 thousand hours of flying time before retiring from United Airlines after 37 years and 7 months of service. His final flight was to Auckland, New Zealand where a celebration was held. He loved to fly and left behind the reputation of being a great pilot.     He was active in the Airline Pilots Association with the Engineering and Scheduling Committees. Pete enjoyed attending the Retired Airline Pilot Association luncheons with friends.     On July 3rd, 1965 Pete Married Karen J. Gras of Rock Springs, WY, his wife of 43 years. Pete and his family moved to Fort Collins, CO in 1972. He and his wife Karen loved to travel the U.S. and Canada in their motor home. They made many good friends both in Colorado and during their travels.     Pete was admired by many for his kindness and generosity and will be greatly missed. He leaves behind his loving wife Karen Cecchinelli; daughters, Lisa Cecchinelli and Laura Cecchinelli Barnes; son Wade Cecchinelli and wife Cyndi; grandsons Devon Cecchinelli, Josh Cecchinelli and Trevor Henderson; granddaughter Kelsey Barnes; his brother John Cecchinelli; sister Elaine Thornton; nephews Michael Thornton, Bradley Thornton, and Frank Mathew Cecchinelli; and uncle and aunt, Lewis and Marilyn Moore of Rockford, IL.     Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, May 21st at Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Dr., Ft. Collins.  A celebration of Peter's life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at Harmony Presbyterian Church, 400 East Boardwalk, Ft. Collins.     The family requests that any memorial donation please be made to the Food Bank for Larimer County or Pathways Hospice of Larimer County.