By Loren Kessell

 

Pietro “Pete” Giorgi, CMKBD, Senior Designer/Consultant for Giorgi Kitchen, passed away on Thursday, March 10, in Wilmington, Del.

Giorgi and his brother were trailblazers in the kitchen and bath design in the 1960s. After his first job at Atlantic Aviation, he joined his brother Joe Giorgi at Giorgi Kitchens where he began his 60-year long design career, eventually becoming a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD).

Early adopters of working with “semi-custom” and “factory-built” cabinets, the brothers understood the value of creating a showroom to show consumers gorgeous finished spaces.  They both saw the importance of bringing appliances, decorative plumbing, countertops and other finishes into their showroom to show customers how all of these components interact with each other and needed to be considered in the overall design.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Pete in 2013 and working with him ever since,” said Jonathan Barfell, Head of Marketing for Liebherr North America. “He took me under his wing and showed me everything he could about the K&B industry. I have always considered him a mentor and one of the most kind and genuine people I’ve ever met.”

Giorgi’s accomplishments during his career extended beyond just the industry. He worked with many organizations and charitable foundations in the Wilmington area, renovating kitchens with the Giorgi Kitchens team and his wife Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS, CLIPP, NKBA Hall of Famer and fellow industry icon, who passed away in 2021.

“Pete was a true gentleman, proud ambassador of the NKBA and an icon in our industry,” said Jason Artus, Partner of Dovetail Sales, LLC. “Our business relationship began almost twenty-five years ago and like many others experienced, it quickly led to a friendship.”

In both his personal and work life, Giorgi was proud of his Italian-American ancestry. He was a member of the Davinci Society, Sons of Italy, and a past State Deputy in the Knights of Columbus. Family and travel were important to him, and he was known for his exceptional optimism.

“My most favorite times were with Pete and Ellen when we’d travel to Italy for EuroCucina,” said Barfell. “Pete took us to his hometown to meet some of his friends and family. He had so much love to give, everywhere he went, and I know he has helped many people over his lifetime”

He is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and his brother. For information on the memorial service and where to donate in his memory, go here.