Brian A. Petronella

PETRONELLA Brian A. Petronella, age 54, of Norwalk, beloved husband of Elaine Coker Petronella, died suddenly on August 6, 2010 in his home with his family by his side. Born in Norwalk on March 28, 1956 to Rosemarie Jaykus Petronella and the late Robert A. Petronella, he was predeceased by his brother Robert Burke Petronella. Brian A. Petronella was the President of Local 371 UFCW, International Vice President and Executive Vice President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. He was an active board member on several pro-labor organizations, including the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County. Most recently Brian was honored at the McGivney Center in Bridgeport as "Man of the Year" and awarded the Corporate Achiever Award at the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Through his union and personal donations, his charitable contributions were enormous. Each Christmas and Easter, Brian organized thousands of holiday baskets to be distributed through the Women's Network, sponsored by the UFCW. In addition, each spring for the past 9 years, Brian chaired a Local 371 Golf Tournament raising over $225,000 for the Leukemia Society. Brian also generously donated snacks to local after school programs. As a labor leader, Brian was one of the best. He began his career in 1972 as a member of Local 371, Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workers of North America. He was employed by Grand Union Supermarkets. Brian was appointed Union Organizer in 1977 and graduated from the Harvard University Trade Union Program in 1978. Brian was responsible for many successful organizing campaigns and due to those efforts members enjoy the benefits of decent wages, generous benefits, secure pensions, and the dignity and respect that his members rightly deserved. In 1982, the Local 371 Executive Board elected him to the office of Executive Vice President. During his time in office Brian chaired major negotiations in retail, wholesale, processing, healthcare and manufacturing. Following this position, Brian was promoted to the position of Secretary-Treasurer and proudly up to the position of Local 371 President, serving over 9,000 members throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. In addition, Brian was the Chairman of the Local 371 Amalgamated Welfare Trust Fund and a Trustee of the National UFCW Pension Fund. The Fairfield County Labor Council and the New England UFCW Food Council were also fortunate to have Brian serve as a President. Brian was also involved in politics, where he was well known and respected as a champion for working men and women. Brian Petronella's fiery enthusiasm, loyalty, generosity and genuine character will always be an inspiration to all who knew and loved him. Brian will always be remembered by his family as a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle and faithful friend. His laughter, smile, strength and giving nature will be dearly missed. In addition to his beloved wife Elaine and his loving mother Rosemarie, Brian is survived by his daughters, Lindsey and Ashley Petronella; two sisters, Marilyn Liberatore and her husband Joseph, and Keri Whitehead and her husband Ricky; two brothers, Ronald Petronella and his wife Jan, and John Petronella; nieces and nephews, Kelly Liberatore Bishop and her husband Jarrod, Kevin Liberatore, Heather and April Whitehead, Jessica and Bobby Petronella; and a great-nephew Cole Bishop and many uncles, aunts and cousins. A funeral Mass will be held at 10am, Wednesday, August 11, at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan, with burial to follow at St. John Cemetery, Norwalk. His family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 10, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at Magner Funeral Home, 12 Mott Avenue, Norwalk. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the College Trust Fund of his daughter Lindsey Burke Petronella; 290 Post West, Westport, CT 06881.