James J. Petro

PETRO JAMES JOHN PETRO "Pete" Departed this life peacefully July 20, 2011 at his daughter's home in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was born June 27, 1921 to Ugo and Antonia DiPietro (Petro) in Washington, DC and grew up on Capitol Hill with five brothers and two sisters, Minnie (Ronchi) and Delores (Painter). Jim and his brothers - Sam, Tony, Joe, Danny and Charlie, were known as the infamous "fighting Petro clan" (Golden Gloves and professional boxers) in Washington. He graduated from Eastern High school and was attending American University on a football scholarship when WWII broke out. He served in WWII in the Navy as a cook stationed on the USS Idaho in the South Pacific. After the war he returned to American University to study Physical Education. It was in the University infirmary where he met his future wife, Marian (Burdie) Burdick, a nursing student at American. Jim graduated from American University and became the boxing coach there. He and Marian were married on June 2, 1948 in Washington, DC. Jim and Marian moved to College Park, MD and later to Seabrook, MD, where they raised their four children. Jim taught Sunday school for most of his adult life and remained close to several of his students his entire life. He served as deacon and trustee for many years in the various churches where he was a member. He was active in the Civitan Club, local PTA, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts and refereed the Boy's Club's Golden Glove boxing matches for many years. Jim had a few small businesses through his career but spent the majority of his time as a salesperson for Sears and Roebucks Co. selling to the public and later to contractors. He retired from Sears in 1983 after over 30 years. After retirement he spent many summers overseeing the kitchen at WLD Ranch in Erie, PA, where his daughter and her family managed the camp. Jim was strong in his faith and maintained more friends than one can count, who all remember his Sunday meatballs and pizza parties. In the late 90's Jim and Marian moved to Shady Side, MD. Marian died in 2005. Because of health problems, Jim lived most recently with his children. Jim is survived by his sister, Delores Painter, his son, James (Sue) Petro of Arnold, MD; daughter, Anna (Malcolm) Beall of Girard, PA; son, John (Kathleen Litchfield) Petro of Mitchellville, MD; daughter, Gina (Richard) Raley of Gambrills, MD; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, including Dominic Beall who was born on the day Jim died. Inurnment will be held at Arlington Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Shady Side Baptist Church, 1320 Avalon Blvd, Shady Side, MD on September 11 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that written memories be sent by August 29 to John@petrodesignbuild.com or John Petro, PO Box 1668, Mitchellville, MD 20717.Inurnment will be held at Arlington Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Shady Side Baptist Church, 1320 Avalon Blvd, Shady Side, MD on September 11 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that written memories be sent by August 29 to John@petrodesignbuild.com or John Petro, PO Box 1668, Mitchellville, MD 20717.