Joseph F. Petrilli, 79, of 954 Fern Road, St. Marys, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Elk Haven Nursing Home, after a lengthy illness.
He was born February 8, 1938, in St. Marys, son of the late Rocco and Elvera DeSantis Petrilli. He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of St. Marys High School, Class of 1956. He also attended Penn State DuBois and took upper level courses in Michigan. He was a retired employee of Keystone Carbon Company, retiring in 2000 after 40 years of service.
On May 18, 1963, in the Queen of the World Church, Joseph married Jean M. Leithner, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Phyllis Petrilli of Chicago, IL; two sons, Paul Petrilli and his wife Beverly of Davidsville, PA and Roger Petrilli and his wife Tara of Lancaster, PA; three grandchildren, Kristy Hanes, Tony Hanes, and Brandon Petrilli; a sister, Helen Herzing and her husband Tom of St. Marys; a brother, John Petrilli and his wife Janet of St. Marys; and by a son-in-law, Carl Hanes of Kersey.
In addition to his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by a daughter, Aileen Hanes on September 9, 2015; four sisters, Carmella Hoffman, Lena Galati, Angie Calla, and in infancy, Concetta Petrilli; and by a brother, Herman Petrilli.
Joseph was a member of the Queen of the World Church, where he served as an usher. He was a veteran of the US Army and a member of the American Legion Post 103. He also served as a member of the Selective Service Board. Joseph was a PIAA official for 50 years, refereeing and umpiring in softball, baseball, football, and basketball. He played minor league baseball for the St. Marys Colts and the pony league at Bradford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Thursday, July 27, 2017, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Jeff Noble, Pastor, officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1600 Peninsula Drive, Suite 15, Erie, PA 16505-4261 or to the Mountain Laurel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 700 Leonard Street, Clearfield, PA 16830.