Dr. Ronald G. Petrillo DMD

1949 - 2021

Dr. Rinaldo (Ronald) Gerald Petrillo, DMD, passed away the evening of Jan. 27, 2021, in La Jolla, Calif., at the age of 71.

Dr. Petrillo was born July 18, 1949, in Wilkes-Barre to the late Michael Angelo Petrillo and Lucy Carolyn DelGiudice Petrillo, RN, of Bear Creek.

Dr. Petrillo was a 1967 graduate of James M. Coughlin High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from King's College, Wilkes-Barre, where he earned awards in wrestling in 1971. He attended The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, graduating in 1975. From there, Dr. Petrillo became a member of the U.S. Navy Dental Corps, where he served our great country as an officer Third Marine Division, Fourth Marines, Philippines, Okinawa, and he was a Vietnam veteran.

After his military service, Dr. Petrillo settled in San Diego where he opened a private dental practice and retired after having served for 40 years. Many of his patients were players from his favorite football team, the San Diego Chargers.

Ron was a talented artist, author, and musician who once stood in and played bass guitar for the legendary rock band Iron Butterfly. He had a great sense of humor and loved his family very much. We will cherish his memory forever.

Dr. Petrillo is survived by his four children, Tina-Marie Holloway, Tanya Petrillo, and twin sons Rocco and Dante Petrillo; and granddaughters Sophia and Olivia Holloway; all of San Diego, Calif.

He is also survived by his siblings: Michael A. Petrillo, DMD, Bethlehem; Donna M. Posatko-Maffei, Singer Island, Fla.; Charles J. Petrillo, DMD, Washington Crossing; Ann B. DiPietro, DDS. Shavertown; and many nieces and nephews.

Interment with military honors was held privately Aug. 27 in St. Mary's Cemetery in Wilkes-Barre.