JOHN PETROU Obituary


JOHN PETROU (Age 94)  
Of Rockport, MA died on Friday, January 11 at the Seacoast Nursing facility in Gloucester. Born in Haverhill, MA in 1918, he was a WWII veteran having served in the North Atlantic on the destroyer escort, USS Eisner. John was an honors graduate of Bently College. After the War in lived in the Washington Area, most recently with his wife of 41 years, Bebe Koch Petrou who died in 1984. The John and Bebe Petrou Foundation has supported the arts in the Washington Area for many years. John, along with Washingtonian's Edward Flemming, Jesse Rubin and the Louis Kaplan, was one of the founding partners of Psychiatric Institutes of America, the largest chain of private mental health care facilities in the country at the time of it's sale in 1982 to California Based National Medical Enterprises. Psychiatric Institutes of America and it's founders were responsible for the effort to convince the insurance industry to increase care to 28 day inpatient stays up from the standard five day stay. John and his wife, Pat Bosse Burns retired to Rockport, MA where they enjoyed playing golf, tennis and traveling. He was an excellent armature photographer, winning several local awards. He is predeceased by his parents, James and Sophie Petrou, two sisters, Bessie Grant and Elizabeth Karekos. He is survived by his wife Pat of 22 years, his loving children from his first marriage, Rebecca Petrou Lloyd and David M. Petrou, two beloved grandchildren, Adam Lloyd and Jennifer Lloyd and three great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Anna and Max Lizondo. He is also survived by three siblings, Arthur, Rita Thompson and Mary Brostek. Additionally he is survived by two stepsons, Evan and Trevor Burns. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 15 at 11 a.m. at the Holy Apostle Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 154 Winter St., Haverhill, MA. Interment will be in Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Greek School of Holy Apostles or Pathways for children, 29 Emerson St., Gluster, MA.

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 14, 2013.
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4 Entries

My heartfelt sympathy to John's family. He was a warm, thoughtful and gentle man. I am keeping his son, David, and wife, Pat, in my thoughts and prayers.
GayLynn Mann

January 18, 2013

Thoughts and prayers going out to you, David.

Jayne Blanchard

January 16, 2013

I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I have so many wonderful memories of his humor and love of life and family. My condolences and love to all.

Ellen McMackin

January 15, 2013

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Suzanne Carver

January 14, 2013

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