Oswald Carlos "Kutchie" Pelaez, Jr.
July 1, 1953 ~ April 3, 2022
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Oswald Carlos “Kutchie” Pelaez, Jr., 68, set sail for Paradise on Sunday, April 3, 2022, in his family home, surrounded by loved ones.
Father, Husband, Warrior, Poet- Kutchie Pelaez made his grand debut on July 1, 1953, in Asheville to the late Oswald Carlos Pelaez, Sr. and Polly Riddle Pelaez. Kutchie was a graduate of Asheville High School and he, alongside his wife and family, owned and operated various enterprises throughout his lifetime, most notably Kutchie’s Key West Bar and Grill in Arden.
Kutch was a true renaissance man- an artist with not only brush and pen but a truly gifted sculptor and celebrated chef, providing “The Place To Be” to his community for over three decades. Among his many passions and interests in his fleeting time with us-including being a lifetime member of Calvary Baptist Church- he was a true lover of animals and the great outdoors; a man of the mountains but also the beaches.
Kutch left this world as he lived it- bravely and with a tenacity that we are not soon likely to see again. He is celebrated in life by his wife, Anita Heaton Pelaez; sons, “The Three Amigos”- Oswald Carlos III, Santino Nicholas, and Joseph Pacino; granddaughters, (his heartbeats) Cordelia and Elena Pelaez; brothers, Pete Pelaez (Jan) and Joseph Horecny (Terri); sister, Patricia Burke (Curtis); along with many beloved nieces and nephews. He is also preceded in death by his sister, Judie Davis.
The memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 24, at 3:00 p.m., at Woodfin Riverside Park, 1598 Riverside Drive, Woodfin, NC 28804.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Memorial Service: April 24, 2022 3:00 pm
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Am thinking of all of your wonderful family. I’m so glad the Three Amigos are close by.
A force of light and love my entire life. I don’t know how else to describe Kutch. He always had a story, a remedy, a smile, for any situation. Two sayings from him I’ll hear always; “Glad you got to see me” and “I’ll dance at your wedding”…will forever be in my heart. While he wasn’t able to dance at my wedding, he was then, and will always and forever have my soul dancing. I can’t write all of the stories here, but know that my heart overflows with love and gratitude because you are part of it. Love always, “Your little ketchup bottle” (he knows what this means 🥰)
We are so sad too hear the loss Kutch, each of you are in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bless you and comfort you during this time.
To Anita, a truly warm. loving caring person, my prayers are with you.
Anita I am thinking of you and your family with love and friendship. My heart hurts for you.
My soul sister, Anita. Mere words cannot express my heart feelings for you and the Boys. What a gracious and wonderful caregiver and life partner you have been. I count it a privilege to be your friend and know your precious family. Always my love
My sincere condolences. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
With sincere sympathy to you, Anita, and your family! May your memories be of great comfort in coming days!
Joe, Terri, Allie and Zoe Horecny
What wonderful and thoughtful words to honor such a special man. Thoughts and prayers during this difficult time for the family. Love you Anita.
Kutch! So talented in so many ways, and so brave to have endured the ravages of M.S. for so long. A wonderful
father and family man. Anita and the boys, our hearts and payers are with you. Lots of love and God speed.
We are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.
Julie
Anita and the 3 Amigos: saddened to hear of Kutchie’s passing. I have fond memories of sitting at the bar with David, Rob, Sy and Kimberly. I have made Sy and Kimberly aware of his death. We’d love to know when the memorial service takes place, if possible
The memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 24, at 3:00 p.m., at Woodfin Riverside Park, 1598 Riverside Drive, Woodfin, NC 28804.
To the family, I am sorry for the grief that you are feeling.
Knowing of God’s love for you, continue to look to him when he ” will wipe out all tears from our eyes, death, suffering, and pain will be no more “Revelation 21:3,4
He says death is an ” enemy that will be brought to nothing ” 1 Corinthians 15:26
How comforting to know that this will be a thing of the past and through Christ Jesus a resurrection for our loved ones.
jrfdog@gmail.com
Sure, you gave birth to the Three Amigos, but you two are the original Dos Amigos–who gave birth to the Key West realities in this Asheville part of the world. When entering your home, I always had the feeling of moving into the world of Key West.
Even when incapacitated, sitting at his desk command post, Kutch insisted that he was going back to work. He was doggedly determined to achieve his desires. The work he held fast to was the work of the Key West Bar & Grill–the salad dressings he’d make, the menu he kept in his desk drawer, the heavy boxes he heaved, and restaurant he labored to care for with such love.
The love affair of Kutch and Anita was always evident–the way they related to each other, sense of humor, able to harmonize their differences while standing in them, each as half of the whole. Anita was not only his forever lover but also his dedicated and relentless caretaker, who’d fight for his welfare with hospital, physicians, and agencies– time and time and time again. With all that Kutch endured, he never lost his dignity–because he held strong to his hold on himself, and because Anita never lost sight of his dignity either.
I was on their team for several years as CarePartners Palliative Care nurse practitioner; I’m grateful that Kutch has been able to move on, my heart full of tenderness with warm memories and appreciation of his spirit, gratitude for association with Kutch and Anita, and to have been in the presence of their fierce love for each other, for their three devoted sons Carlos, Santino, and Joseph, and Kutch’s father who lived just across the street before passing. The family’s middle name and credo must be “dignity in love.”
Rest in peace dear Kutch. You are loved. And what an absolutely dashing picture! Anita, we’re with you.
Deeply touched by a time when this KIND man stopped to help my son with his car when we had a breakdown. So sorry to have missed this.
Long lost cousin. I wish I would have found you sooner. RIP
Rest in peace, my old friend
Tye Graham