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Dr. Peter Michael “Mickey” DiChiara

Dr. Peter Michael “Mickey” DiChiara, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Monday, August 12, 2024. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00am on Friday, August 16, 2024 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery. A casual Celebration will be on Thursday, August 15, 2024 from 5:00-8:00pm at Kendall Hall in downtown Troy. 

Peter Michael “Mickey” DiChiara was born in Bessemer, Alabama on September 26, 1950 to Lena Mae and Louis DiChiara, second generation Italian Americans. After graduating from Bessemer High School where he was voted “Cutest” in his senior class, Mickey attended The University of Alabama. At UA, he joined Pi Kappa Phi and enjoyed being a photographer for The Crimson White. After college, he enlisted in The United States Army and reported to basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. There, he began his work in the field of medicine and ultimately landed in Physician’s Assistant school in Birmingham. A clinical assignment with Dr. Stewart Adendorf in Troy, Alabama would change his life forever. 

It was in Troy at Edge Memorial Hospital where Mickey would meet the love of his life, Cheryl. The lifelong partnership propelled him to medical school at UAB via Tampico, Mexico. After sailing through the Mobile Bay and his residency, he returned to Cheryl’s hometown of Troy. There he joined forces with Dr. James O. “Tip” Colley. This association instantly allowed Mickey to become one of Troy’s most trusted physicians.

Cheryl and Mickey did their part to “Keep Troy on The Grow” by raising a family and building the most successful medical practice in the history of Pike County. They became active members of St. Martin’s Catholic Church and caught a major case of Trojan Spirit. Troy University claimed Mickey as their own and he simply loved serving in any capacity and was blessed to be the team doctor for football and basketball.

Mickey’s passion for medicine was third to his faith and his family. A proud “Colley” by marriage, he took to hunting, fishing, and cooking under the watchful eye of Big Matt and Orie. He excelled at dating their daughter for 43 years…flirting the whole time. Though his precious daughter Marilee was the apple of his eye, he never missed one of Mike D’s games, and always made time to take Neal hunting.

Grandkids gave “Papa” the excuse to be a kid again. The result was turning his house into Troy’s version of Disneyland. Just like CC, he just could not say no to his grandkids. Mickey was the strong but quiet spiritual leader of the family. He never preached The Gospel, but rather chose to let his actions do the talking. He could be found at weekly Eucharistic Adoration and Mass, no matter what.

The last years of Mickey’s life brought the trials of losing loved ones and his health. It was then that The Lord sent him an angel named Lois Sexton. The pair enjoyed Mike D’s action-packed destination wedding and many quiet evenings at his home in the company of friends, family, and Leroy, his beloved lab.

Mickey was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Cheryl Colley DiChiara; his parents, Louis & Lena Mae DiChiara; nephew, Matthew Lowery; brother-in-law, Charlie Williams; and mother and father-in-law, Matthew & Mary Folmar Colley. He is survived by his children, Neal DiChiara (Curri), Marilee DiChiara Hussey (Bobby), Michael DiChiara (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Mary Michael Hussey, Martie Will DiChiara, Maggie DiChiara, Ford Hussey, Mary Jewell DiChiara, Grant Reynolds, Peter Michael DiChiara II due in November; brother, Ronnie DiChiara (Sally); sister, Mary Ellen Williams; companion and friend, Lois Sexton; sisters-in-law, Annette Colley Owen (Allen), Julie Colley Lowery (David), Helen Colley Haberstroh (Bill), Jennifer Colley Ventress; brother-in-law, Matt Colley (Helen); as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog, Leroy. 

The DiChiara family wishes to thank the entire Troy community for the outpouring of love in recent months. We would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Eric Law, Dr. Bill McLaughlin, Dr. Jack Hawkins, Rick Smith, Fr. Chris Boutin, Fr. James Dean, his second family at Pike Internal Medicine, Troy Regional Medical Center, and Troy Health and Rehabilitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 725 Elba Hwy, Troy 36079 or to the Pike County Chapter of the American Heart Association, PO Box 70, Troy 36081. 

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the DiChiara family. Online condolences may be made at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net