Peter James Latrella

Peter James Latrella, 80, of Arden, passed away Wednesday, June 21 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center. A native of Scranton, PA, he was a son of the late James and Caroline Lori Latrella. He was also preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Fisher. Pete was a veteran of the US Army, serving in Korea. He then joined the National Guard 501st Medical and then the Army Reserves, where he taught NBC. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the WNC Mountain Riders, the Asheville Rifle and Pistol Club and Biltmore Church, where he proudly served as an usher. He and his wife Rhonda owned Peaches and Cream Deli, Sweet Specialities Bakery and P&R Dome Creations. He enjoyed woodworking and served as a judge in the Miss America pageant at the city level. Pete is survived by his wife of 44 years, Rhonda Maxwell Latrella; two sons, Doug Poehler and Peter Latrella, Jr.; one sister, Rachael Retz and her husband Mike; one brother, James Latrella and his wife Carol; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 1 in the Chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with Kelvin Moseley officiating. Entombment will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Enka. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM on Saturday, July 1 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.