Charles Prugue's Obituary
Charles “Carlos” Prugue, 75, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, passed away peacefully on July 15, 2026. Born January 13, 1951, in Lima, Peru, Carlos lived a life centered around his love of family, friendship, and the many things that brought him joy.
Carlos lived in several places as a child, thanks to his father’s service to Peru as the country’s representative to the Inter-American Development Bank. The family emigrated to the United States in the early 1960s. During the 1950s through the 1970s, the Prugue family lived in Lima, Peru; Washington DC; Bethesda MD; and Montevideo, Uruguay. Carlos graduated from Carmelitas High School in Lima in 1969, and he received his education across several disciplines at Montgomery (MD) College (general studies), University of New Mexico (theater), Spain (tourism), and England (cinematography). Following these studies, Carlos worked on two kibbutzim in Israel. Returning to Washington DC in 1980, he worked as a filmmaker for the World Bank and later as a travel counselor for various businesses, organizations, and federal agencies. He took a break from travel counseling in the 1980s to study baking at the Culinary Institute of America and worked for several years as a pastry chef at the Willard Hotel and for Italian chef and restaurateur, Roberto Donna. Carlos returned to the travel profession and ended his career as an International Travel Counselor for a top-security federal agency, retiring in December 2017.
Carlos met the love of his life, Peter Pizzolongo, at an aerobics class held in a Washington DC bar in 1988. While it was love at first sight, for the next five years Carlos and Peter ‘took turns’ being in relationships with other people, while remaining friends. In 1993, both were single, and they began to date during the Washington DC International Film Festival—seeing movies seven nights in a row. As they already knew each other for that five-year ‘friends period,’ they soon moved in together in 1993. They purchased a townhouse together at the Iowa Condominium in 1998. Following the 50th Wedding Anniversary celebrations of both of their parents (who were married one day apart in 1947 in Lima and New York, respectively), Carlos and Peter (aka “the CarPetes”) decided to hold a Commitment Ceremony. The celebration was attended by friends, family, and work colleagues at the Washington News Women’s Club in Washington DC—an event for which many attendees noted was “the best wedding celebration they’d ever attended!” Following the ceremony, the CarPetes honeymooned in Brazil, visiting Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, and Recife. With the Supreme Court decision allowing legal marriage between partners of the same sex, Carlos and Peter were legally married on October 12, 2013, officiated by their best friend Jerry Filbin. The CarPetes traveled to Sydney, Australia, to celebrate their legal marriage and the 50th birthday of Carlos’ youngest brother, Roberto.
In addition to moviegoing, Carlos’ interests included travel, baking, cooking Peruvian dishes, entertaining, going to the beach, and attending professional and community live theater in the metro Washington DC area, New York City, and Coastal Delaware, as well as in other countries during the CarPetes’ travel. As a travel counselor, Carlos was fortunate to participate in many ‘travel fams’ across the globe. With Peter, Carlos’ travel included the Galapagos Islands, China, Thailand, Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Italy, pretty much all of Peru, and many trips to New York City.
Above all, Carlos loved his family—the Prugue side and the Pizzolongo side. Carlos and Peter attended many weddings, birthday celebrations, christenings, and other major events for their parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends during their 33 years together—across the globe. Carlos was especially close to his niece Ximena and nephew Rodrigo, both of whom visited the CarPetes often as teenagers and young adults.
The CarPetes often visited Rehoboth Beach DE and purchased their part-time retreat in 2010. Upon their retirements in 2017, the CarPetes moved to Rehoboth Beach full time and became active residents in their new community.
Carlos was preceded in death by his parents, Armando (2017) and Norah (2018), in-laws Peter (2016) and Gloria (2019), and older brother Armando (1999). He is survived by his spouse, Peter Pizzolongo, and siblings Norah (Enrique), Lucho, Enrique, Jorge, and Roberto, and numerous extended family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank the medical teams that provided care to Carlos during his 10+ year battle with cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Beebe Hospital in Lewes DE, with special appreciation for the staff and volunteers of Delaware Hospice who provided care for Carlos as his passing drew near.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, the Cancer Support Community Delaware, and Clear Space Theatre.
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