Dr. Pellegrin, Jr.

ALFREDO G. PELLEGRIN, JR. March 22, 1932 - January 28, 2016

Alfredo G. "Freddy" Pellegrin, Jr., M.D. passed away on January 28, 2016 after a lengthy illness. Born on March 22, 1932, Dr. Pellegrin was raised in Laredo by his parents, Alfredo Garcia Pellegrin and Helen Kahn.

Dr. Pellegrin married Blanca Alicia Casso on November 10, 1956, and they raised three children, Alfredo III, Enrique, and Blanca. After college, medical school, and residency training, Dr. Pellegrin returned to his hometown to serve the children of Laredo as a pediatrician for more than thirty years. Next to his family, he was most proud of the work he did caring for Laredo's children. Dr. Pellegrin was a loving and compassionate husband, father, and friend, who also enjoyed life to the fullest. Outside of his medical practice, he kept busy with his many hobbies such as model plane building, gun collecting, welding, reading history, and doting on his pets.

In his youth, Dr. Pellegrin worked in the family's produce business on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande, where Dr. Pellegrin's father had befriended many interesting (and some infamous) characters of the day. Dr. Pellegrin enjoyed recounting the story of the time that he and his father met Leon Trotsky, who was exiled in Mexico City. Likewise, one of Dr. Pellegrin's most cherished possessions was a tattered black-and-white photo of Pancho's Villa's soldiers camped in the elder Pellegrin's backyard on Vidaurri street.

As a young man, Dr. Pellegrin was mentored by his favorite uncle, Dr. Adolph Kahn, a local veterinarian who cared for the circus animals coming through Laredo on their way to performances in Mexico. From his uncle, Dr. Pellegrin developed a special love for all animals. Indeed, it was this same uncle who loaned Dr. Pellegrin one of his most unusual pets, a diaper-wearing monkey named Panchita. Over the ensuing years, Dr. Pellegrin adopted many pets, including numerous dogs and cats, a bear cub that became Dr. Pellegrin's roommate during medical school, a raccoon, a skunk and Tono, the parrot that became a legend in the Pellegrin household. Dr. Pellegrin had taught Tono to drink rompope and sing a medley of popular Mexican ballads.

Dr. Pellegrin had many friends from all walks of life. He is survived by Blanca, his wife of fifty-nine years, his sons Freddy III and Enrique (Marissa), his daughter Blanca (Michael) Galo, and four grandchildren (Alicia, Enrique, Jr., Michael and Tyler).

The family is grateful to the care given by Dr. Milton Haber and the wonderful staff at Doctor's Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Sacred Heart Children's Home or the Laredo Animal Protective Society, 3310 S. Zapata Hwy.

The family will receive condolences on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., with a Memorial Service at 6 p.m.

You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.