Pietro Antonio "Peter" Denegri

Pietro Antonio DeNegri, 87, of Norman, OK, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2021, after suffering a stroke. He was surrounded by his loving family. Pietro Antonio DeNegri (Peter) was born in Bibano, Italy, on August 1, 1934. In 1956 he married the love of his life, Caterina Barro who lived down the street. They truly had known each other their entire lives. In 1962, he and Caterina and their two young children, Marie Antonella (4 years of age) and Antonio Fioravante (2 years of age) came to America. He worked as a brick mason and marble setter. Coming to America was inspired by their endless work ethic, unwavering faith in God, unconditional love for each other, and Peter's passionate desire to see first-hand what his deceased father described as the "Greatest Country in the World." Peter and his young family, with all their belongings safely packed in five suitcases, speaking no English, and expecting their third child, settled in the Grand View addition of Oklahoma City. This quaint area of Oklahoma City, chosen so they could be close to Peter's aunt, Angela Degiusti, and his sister and her husband, Antoinette and Joseph Toffoli, made for their own personal "Little Italy." With church, school, and merchants all within walking distance, life in their big, new country was as close to perfect as the young married couple could imagine. Soon after they arrived, Peter's mother Augusta joined them, and subsequently the family grew to include three more children, Robert, Regina, and Gianni. Peter was a Master Masonry Craftsman whose work demonstrated old world pride, rarely seen, and for which he garnered awards from The International Masonry Institute, including the coveted "National Craftsman of the Year" in 1997. His work is on display virtually anywhere one travels in Oklahoma City, including one which he is most proud - the addition of the dome to the Oklahoma State Capitol. Peter and Caterina always remained proud of their Italian heritage that started in a small rural town in Northern Italy. However, they were more proud to say to everyone they met, they were Americans!Peter is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, son-in-law Benjamin Parker of Londonderry, New Hampshire; son Tony DeNegri (wife Gail) of Overland Park, Kansas; son Robert DeNegri (wife Talita) of Norman, Oklahoma; daughter Gina Rischard (husband John) of Dallas, Texas; and son Gianni DeNegri of Oklahoma City; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews in America and Italy. Peter is preceded in death by his loving daughter, Marie Antonella Parker; parents, Antonio and Maria Augusta DeNegri; his three sisters and husbands, Teresa DeNegri Panizzutti (Guido), Antoinette DeNegri Toffoli (Guiseppe), and Ameriga DeNegri Posocco (Olivio).Services for Peter will include a visitation from 9am-6pm with a Rosary on Friday, December 17th at 6:00 p.m. at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home located at 1401 N.W. 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, and a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 18th at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady's Cathedral, 3214 N. Lake Avenue, Oklahoma City. Following the funeral service, the family is welcoming friends and family to attend a short reception at Connor Center (adjacent to the Church). A public burial, open to all friends and family, will follow the reception. Peter will be buried at Chapel Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Peter's name to causes dear to him, such as Alzheimer's Association, Down Syndrome Association, and Mount St. Mary Catholic High School.Mass will be streamed at www.cathedralokc.org