Julius "Julie" Pellegrini, 95 passed away peacefully on June 21 in Berrien County, MI after a brief illness. He was born on February 14, 1929, in Capannori, Italy (Tuscany region), to Giuseppe (Joseph) and Giuseppina (Josephine) Pellegrini.  In 1936, he immigrated to the United States with his mother and sister to join his father who worked as a foundryman at Fairbanks Morse in Beloit, WI.

Julius entered Merrill Elementary School in January of 1937 not knowing a word of English, but he quickly caught on.  He later attended Roosevelt Jr. High where his strong athletic ability in football and track was first recognized.  Afterward, he attended Beloit Memorial High School where he was an honor student and lettered in track and football. He was a leading scorer in the Big Eight Conference in 1947 when Beloit won the Big Eight Conference championship. And during that same year, Julius was voted first string All-Conference halfback. He graduated in 1948. Ever the athlete, he also played center field for American Legion baseball during the summers.

In the spring of 1949, at the urging of his former high school football coach, Carl Nelson, who by then had become the head football coach at Beloit College, Julius applied to Beloit College. At Beloit, he played half back on the football team and was the leading scorer in 1952 when the team was undefeated. He graduated in 1953 with a BS in Biology and a minor in science education.

Immediately after graduation, Julius was drafted into the Korean War and served for two years as a company clerk at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

After military service, he worked for a year at Fish Equipment Co, Beloit , WI before starting his career as a high school science teacher and assistant coach in 1958 at South Beloit HS. In 1962, he returned to his former high school to teach biology, physical science, and advanced biology, eventually becoming Chair of the Science Department.  He had a gift for working with students who found learning difficult or uninteresting. Further, each spring, he looked forward to pairing his students in advanced biology with Beloit fifth grade classes for a day of observation and field experiments at the Welty Environmental Center

In 1965, after three years of support from the National Science Foundation, Julius earned an MS in Biology from Michigan State University. Because of his advanced training, and before the era of AP courses, he then developed an advanced biology curriculum for his college bound students.

Julius earned high recognition for his ability to coach high school track and field. His teams consistently earned top rankings at conference and state competitions. He held a deep admiration for the athletes he coached and talked fondly of his experience with them and his hope for their success. After his induction into the Beloit Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, a reporter for the Beloit Daily News wrote, "The track team was strong most of his tenure, including a string of two undefeated dual meet seasons.  Pellegrini can take credit for coaching four individuals to state championships."

After 33 years of successful teaching and coaching, Julius retired from The School District of Beloit in 1991. During his tenure he was regarded as a fair, respectful, even-tempered and effective teacher and coach who faced each day with quiet dedication.

He married his wife, Barbara, whom he had met at Beloit College, at St Thomas Catholic Church, on June 25, 1954. They had four children and lived in Beloit from 1954 to 2009 until they built a new home on Lake Michigan in Berrien County Michigan. Their home quickly became the destination for numerous family celebrations and summer gatherings especially around the 4th of July.

Julius was a humble compassionate man with deep spiritual roots who felt a connection to those struggling with life course issues. While living in Beloit, he and his family belonged to St. Paul's and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic churches. He was known for his home-grown tomatoes, numerous bird-feeding stations, a fondness for Harry Potter and his elaborate Nativity scene at Christmas. Further, he will be treasured by Barbara as a faithful and devoted husband.

Julius is survived by Barbara, his wife of 70 years, son, Ralph Pellegrini of Sun Prairie, WI, daughter, Lisa (AJ) Albrecht of Janesville WI, and Cari C'de Baca of Grapevine, TX, and five grandchildren.  His son, Ron, predeceased him in September, 2023.  He also is survived by his sister, Marisa Rheinschmidt, of Green Bay, WI along with two nieces and their families.

A funeral Mass to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday August 3, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Beloit, WI. Prior to Mass, the family will hold a visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 AM.  Inurnment will be in Michigan.

Memorials honoring Julius can be made to Beloit Memorial High School: Track and Field Program, The Science Department or to services for homeless students.