Carmine Pepe ""Pepe"". Carmine Pepe ""Pepe"" passed on to a better place with his family present on May 6 2004. He lived 72 wonderful and fulfilling years. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday May 10th at 1:00pm at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. His family will receive friends on Sunday May 9th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Ormond Funeral Home.

Pepe was born in Stirling NJ and moved to the Daytona Beach area with his father and mother when he was 12 years old. His parents were native Italians who had emigrated to the New York/New Jersey area. Pepe was the youngest of eight children. He had five brothers and two sisters and dozens of aunts uncles cousins nieces and nephews whom he loved so much and who all adored him.

His father also Carmine Pepe was a shoemaker and owned several shoe shops in New Jersey. The work ethic and commitment to family that Pepe learned from his family would serve him well all throughout his life. Pepe attended St. Paul?s Catholic School and graduated from Mainland High School in 1950. After high school he enlisted in the Navy to travel the globe. He was very proud to be a veteran of the armed forces.

After he served his country Pepe wanted to buy his own business and property so he went to school and in 1958 became a cosmetologist. In 1960 he bought a small hair salon from his employer and relocated Pepe?s Hair Designers to the Westgate Shopping Center. In 1975 he purchased the property of the current location on Mason Avenue. Pepe successfully operated the hair salon for 43 years which is remarkable for any business. He attributed much of his success to his loyal employees and clients many who have been with him for decades.

As Pepe achieved his goals and enjoyed life he made a huge circle of friends and admirers. Close to him in this circle were long-time employees: Sandy Jones who worked next to him for 38 years; Dorothy Wise 17 years; Vicki Gosney 8 years; James Heckert 5 years; Fran Rosary and Dawn. His favorite employee was his daughter Denise who lovingly worked by his side for 22 years. Even employees who worked for him in the past considered him to be a father figure and a close friend.

Another group of his closest friends are his clients. Pepe has done some of his clients? hair for over 40 years! His friends and clients would tell you that they enjoyed Pepe?s personality smile wit charm and his story-telling as much or more than the hairstyle they received. Pepe also valued the life-long friends he made when he worked in community service projects and clubs and when he socialized with friends and Pepe loved to socialize. Pepe served in many capacities over several years including President of the Daytona Beach Jaycees and the Italian American Club. He donated time and money to several worthy causes. He was involved in many projects including moving Embry-Riddle to Daytona Beach from Miami and having our local water fluoridated. Pepe also met great friends through his children?s friends at school and enjoyed Sunday afternoon picnics with those friends on the beach at the Harvard Avenue approach.

Another group of Pepe?s friends were the result of his love of acting. Pepe was in numerous plays in the local theaters including the Daytona Playhouse. He seemed to gravitate towards musicals and comedies where he would dance sing joke and laugh just like the little kid he wanted to be and was all his life. Pepe loved to dance. It would not be unusual for Pepe to put on his tap shoes and entertain guests at his home. Pepe also loved to bowl with special friends whom he met in recent years and he truly cherished his new circle of friends. Pepe was a true character larger than life and his persona touched so many people in so many ways that he was an absolute treasure.

Pepe is survived by his loving family; wife Mary Pepe; son Dean Pepe; daughter Denise Pepe Bennett and son-in-law David Bennett and David''''s sons Tyler and Austin; his daughter Dana Pepe Guardino and son-in-law James Guardino and his grandchildren Samantha Lee and Antho