Amateur ornithologist Peter Pratti loved birds of all kinds since he was 16 years old. He not only prided himself on his home-raised pigeon coop but loved caring for his feathered friends. His family intends to care for his beloved birds in his memory.

Peter Joseph Pratti of Deer Park died June 28, 2005. He was 77-years old. He lived on Leo Lane in Deer Park for 41 years.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Pratti grew up next door to Margaret Donatelli, whom he eventually married. They were wed 53 years. "He was my best friend. Any place he went, I went," said his wife.

Professionally, Mr. Pratti worked in the printing industry for Merganthaler Industries in Plainview until the company moved overseas. For 17 years he was a mail carrier in Bay Shore, where he was revered by neighbors on his route. "They had a lovely retirement party for him," recalled his wife.

The pigeons, raised in his backyard, were trained to fly to his daughter’s house in Pennsylvania where they would roost for the night before returning home to Long Island.

In his spare time, he crafted bird houses and condominiums and provided a neighborhood sanctuary of sorts. "Whenever neighborhood kids would find a wounded bird, they would bring them to my husband, and he’d nurse them back to health," said Margaret.

Mr. Pratti leaves behind his wife Margaret, his children: Peter Jr. and his wife Holly; Deborah Ropraz and her husband John and Mario and his wife Karen. His grandchildren Travis, Ryan, Ashley, Peter III, Jesse and Michael also survive him as do his siblings Rose of New Hampshire and Albert of New Jersey.

Mr. Pratti reposed at the Claude R. Boyd-Caratozzolo Funeral Home, 1785 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park on July 1, 2005 followed by internment at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

Donations in Mr. Pratti’s name can be made to: Girls and Boys Town, 13940 Gutowski Road, Boys Town, NE 68010.