Peter Joseph Noce
Peter Joseph Noce, Sr, of Salem, VA, passed away peacefully at home on May 31, 2023, with his beloved wife Dottie at his side. He was 86. Peter was born of Sicilian-Italian heritage to Joseph and Virginia DiPrima Noce on March 14, 1937. He was the oldest of three children growing up in Rochester, NY where he attended St. Boniface Catholic School and then went on to study at St. Bonaventure University. Realizing spinning tunes may be more exciting and a better fit than academia, Peter moved to NYC and attended radio broadcasting school. Upon course completion he took the first available job offer and bought a one-way bus ticket to the small southern town of Laurens, SC.
He began his career as a disc jockey at WLBJ radio station in Laurens where he met the love of his life, a local beauty named Dottie Gray. They married May 28, 1960. Together through the years they had four children- Ginger, Jay, Jeff, and Jodi. The couple and family made their home in Columbia, SC, then moved on to Charlotte, NC, and finally to the Roanoke Valley where they have resided the last 50 years.
As many first-generation immigrant families do, Pete grew up with limited resources, but carried an unwavering drive to be successful and a passion and determination to make his family proud. His career spanned many interesting and varied roles including DJ, traveling salesman for Judy Bond, restaurant entrepreneur (Western Sizzlin’ Steak Houses) and multiple other highly successful business.
Pete was a visionary and a hard-working man. He never asked of any employee anything he would not do himself. He called everyone that worked with him his family. Pete retired from his business ventures at age 49 and took up his next passion, golf. While we admired his entrepreneurial success and accomplishments, his approach to life was even more inspirational. Throughout it all, his highest priority remained his beautiful wife and family.
He was the rock of the family, and backbone in times of need, the first to celebrate the big and the small everyday joys and had the broadest of shoulders to lean on in times of sadness. He was fiercely devoted to his family and always showered them with bear hugs and kisses, the essence of Italian amoré. He was the tower of strength; the Godfather of the family. He rolled his love into meatballs at the family Sunday supper table. He swung his love on the golf course with his friends. He loved a good joke, a good mobster movie, and a good Tito’s and tonic. He loved Notre Dame basketball. Just as he was “all-in” at the blackjack tables, so was he “all-in” with life. He was a smiling, fun-loving, generous, and affectionate man.
He was devoted to his bride, “Dotav”, for 63 years. Peter has often said they had “Un matrimonio fatto in paradiso” (A marriage made in heaven). It surely was. He called her “His Bride” to his very last day.
He is survived by his wife, Dottie; three children, Ginger Noce (Kristy) of Washington, DC, Jay Noce (Kathleen) of Charleston, SC, Jodi Noce Donovan (George) of Longwood, FL; his daughter-in-law, Leah Noce of Alexandria, VA; and his 12 grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents; Joseph and Virginia DiPrima Noce; his sister, Ann Marie Smith; his brother, Joseph Noce; and his precious son, Jeff Noce, who passed away on July 5, 2017. What a glorious reunion that must be. Our loss surely is heaven’s gain.
A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, VA.
Friends may visit with the family from 3 p.m. until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations be made in Pete’s name to one of his favorite charities: St. Judes, The Shriner’s, or Tunnels for Towers.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.
