Peter DeRita, 74, beloved husband of Geraldine ( Cliff) DeRita of Venice Florida and Middletown, passed away in peace with his loving family by his side on December 22, 2019 in Florida. He was born September 2, 1945 in Middletown, son of the Late Nicholas and Rose ( Bartolotta) DeRita. He was a member of St. Pius X Church, Middletown, Founder of DeRita Construction Company, The Elks Lodge, The Moose Club, The President of the Epilepsy Foundation of Middletown, The American Legion, Middletown Chamber of Commerce, The Salvation Army, a Eucharistic Minister, The Xavier Hall of Fame and former coach of Football Basketball and baseball in Middletown and Old Saybrook. He was a 4 ^th Degree Knights of Columbus. A U.S. Army Veteran ( Sargent) serving with the 4 ^th Infantry Division A. Company 1 ^st of the Eight in Vietnam,

Besides his wife he is survived by four sons and their wives Peter DeRita Jr. and Susan DeRita,

David and Donna DeRita of Middletown, Gregory and Jessica DeRita of Durham, and Brian and Sarah DeRita of Pennsylvania. Two sisters Mary Grace Eagle of Old Saybrook and Ann Louise Barnes of Boca Raton Fla. 13, grandchildren, Nicholas and Taylor DeRita, Stephanie and Grace DeRita, Vincent, Genevieve and Adeline DeRita, Mackenzie, Madison and Nathan DeRita, Peter Jacob DeRita, Stephanie and Anthony Dean and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday January 3 ^rd 2020 at 11 A,M. at Notre Dame Church, Durham. Burial with military honors will be in the family plot in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield. Relatives and friends may call at the D'Angelo Funeral Home 22 South Main St on Thursday January 2 ^nd from 4-7 P.M. In Lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to The Disabled American Veteran's 58 Bernie O'Rourke Dr, Middletown or to St Jude Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Way, Memphis Tenn, 38105.