Peter Falchetta, 94, Inquirer artist

Peter Falchetta, 94, who worked his way up from copy boy at The Inquirer to become the manager of the newspaper's editorial art department, died Thursday, March 7, at Burlington Woods Nursing Home in Burlington Township.

Mr. Falchetta, a longtime resident of Haddon Heights, worked for The Inquirer for 48 years, retiring in 1986.

As manager of the editorial art department, Mr. Falchetta designed news pages and graphic elements, and oversaw a staff of artists.

He supervised the graphics in The Inquirer's coverage of the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster in 1979. The newspaper won the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for general local coverage for its reporting on the incident.

Eugene L. Roberts Jr., then Inquirer executive editor, sent a copy of the Pulitzer Prize to Mr. Falchetta with a thank-you note.

"To Peter Falchetta, whose artwork contributed significantly to the coverage that won this award," it said. "With great gratitude and cheers - Gene Roberts and your newsroom colleagues."

Mr. Falchetta was born in Philadelphia on Oct. 13, 1918. He grew up in South Philadelphia and moved with his family to Oaklyn, Camden County, as a youth. He graduated from Merchantville High School and later attended art school.

He began working at The Inquirer in the 1930s. He served in Europe with the Army during World War II, drawing maps for military missions and earning the rank of sergeant.

After his term in the Army, Mr. Falchetta returned to The Inquirer.

In 1950, he married Shirley Tubman, whom he had met at a dance.

David Milne, retired assistant managing editor for design at The Inquirer, said Mr. Falchetta was an energetic and upbeat manager.

"Pete was always on the go. He never sat down for too long," Milne said. "His whole heart was in The Inquirer."

He said Mr. Falchetta was a designer for The Inquirer's Sunday magazine and in the 1970s became manager of the art department.

Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer real estate writer, said Mr. Falchetta was a talented cartographer.

"He was known for his mapmaking skills," Heavens said. "When the editors wanted something, they would call Pete."

In retirement, Mr. Falchetta enjoyed woodworking. He built a detailed workshop in his basement.

A devout Catholic, Mr. Falchetta crafted elaborate wooden Nativity scenes. The scenes were displayed on the lawns and in the sanctuaries of about 10 area churches, said his son Stephen.

"He said that was his calling to God," Stephen Falchetta said.

Mr. Falchetta made smaller Nativity scenes for display on mantels in homes.

He also did free artwork for area nonprofits.

He was a longtime member of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Haddon Heights.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. Falchetta is survived by sons Peter Jr., John, and James; a daughter, Linda Neinel; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Viewings are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 11, and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the Healey Funeral Home, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, at St. Rose of Lima Church, 300 Kings Highway, Haddon Heights. Burial will be in New St. Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.