Weston Nellius, former secretary of finance

Deacon “Pete” Weston Nellius, 88, passed away Sunday, May 26, 2024.  

He was born in Philadelphia and a product of Ridley High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he met and married Ann Nellius (nee Williams). After his service, they settled in Camden, Ark., to be near family. Growing restless with his career prospects, he gave up the security of a factory job, moving his wife and three small children to go to college in Huntsville, Texas. Working two jobs as a head resident of a men’s dormitory and nights as a prison guard, he managed a full-time course load and matriculated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree with honors. He earned a fellowship at Southern Illinois University, where he completed his PhD coursework in economics. 

This academic foundation led to a career in state government, beginning as a budget analyst and progressing to deputy director of the Illinois Department of Transportation. The State of Illinois sponsored his attendance at Harvard Advanced Management Program, where he studied with global leaders in the commercial and government sectors and first met Pete du Pont. He later was recruited by the newly elected Governor du Pont to become secretary of finance for the State of Delaware. The administration partnered with the state legislature to transform the Delaware economy, passing the Financial Center Development Act to make Delaware a major banking hub, and adding a Balanced Budget Amendment to the state constitution to ensure the long-term fiscal health of the state. After leaving state employment, Pete continued to serve on numerous councils and commissions for governors Mike Castle, Tom Carper, Ruth Ann Minner, John Carney, and Jack Markell. 

Pete subsequently moved to the private sector to join Burris Foods in Milford as its chief financial officer, and then chief operating officer. He closed his career by founding a lobbying and financial consultancy, Nellius Management Associates. 

His separation from the public sector coincided with an increasing focus on his spirituality and the parish community. He was ordained by Bishop Saltarelli of the Diocese of Wilmington in 2001, serving first as a deacon for Holy Cross Parish in Dover, then St. Edmond in Rehoboth. 

Pete is survived by his three children, Peter Nellius (Lisa), Dan Nellius (Jenny) and Becky Gravatt (Kevin); and his niece, Kelly Nellius. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Julie Dolbey (Chris), Jeffrey and Joseph Gravatt, Michael, Matthew and Caroline Nellius, and Peter (Alyson) and Natalie Nellius. He is also survived by three loving great-grandchildren, Kennedy and Christian Dolbey, and Kit Nellius.

Pete was a private pilot who loved flying. He constantly looked for ways to share God’s love in ways big and small, and had a smile for everyone he met.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 6, at Holy Cross Church, 631 South State St., Dover, with a viewing from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests those who wish to express their love consider donations to Metavivor, metavivor.org, for breast cancer research in honor of Ann and Kathy Nellius, whom he dearly loved and who were taken too early by this tragic disease.

Letters of condolences can be sent via pippinfuneralhome.com.