Peter Frances DeSantis, Jr., was a resident of Walkertown, NC and was born on September 12, 1950, in Bay Village, Cleveland, Ohio to the late Peter William DeSantis and Mary Ann DeSantis. A man of God was called from his earthly home to his heavenly home on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Grand Villa Assisted Living at Winston nursing facility. He became a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church when he moved to North Carolina from Cleveland, Ohio. He also became a member of the Knights of Columbus at Holy Cross.

At an early age he practiced the Roman Catholic faith where he attended St. Stans Elementary School and completed all the Catholic Sacraments. Peter later attended South High School in Cuyahoga Public Schools, Cleveland, Ohio where he completed the 11th grade. On July 29, 1969, he decided to join the United States Marine Corps. Unfortunately, he served for one year and was dismissed. He attended Tri-C Cuyahoga Community College and enrolled in the Automotive Technology (AUTO) Program. He possessed a certification in Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) on GM vehicles. He worked for many years in the car industry and retired after 35 years of service.

In 2007 he was united in marriage to Rhoda Otero and they had no children together. He leaves to cherish his memory to his loving wife of 19 years of marriage to the love of his life, Rhoda Oter-DeSantis of the home; one son, Pete Vance of Cleveland, Ohio; six grandchildren, Nautica, Jazmine, Kassidy, Arianna, Pete, and Trinity; two great grandchildren, Koda and Kenai; one sister, Mary Hamby of Tennessee; one brother, Mark DeSantis of Cleveland, Ohio; one sister-in-law, Sandy DeSantis of Cleveland, Ohio; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, friends and other relatives all throughout the United States.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefined, and unfading, kept in Heaven for you, who are being protected by the powers of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (I Peter 1:3-7, NRSV)

A prayer vigil will begin at 6:00PM with a time of visitation to follow until 8:00PM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services Kernersville Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Noah Carter officiating.

Friends and family may offer online condolences at www.piercejeffersonfh.com