Sandy B. Petruso

Sandy B. Petruso (Santo Benedetto), 82, of 1141 Carmont Drive, Meadville, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at Hamot Medical Center, Erie.
Sandy was born in Meadville on May 27, 1927, a son of the late Domenic and Frances Aiola Petruso. Sandy married Eileen M. Uzarski; she survives. He previously had married Eleanor Capehart.
He was a member of St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, Meadville.
In 1950, Sandy co-founded Sandan's, a paint and wallpaper company on Water Street in Meadville. With his work ethic, he soon expanded his business into home construction. In 1968, he co-founded, along with Ray Travaglini, his partner for more than 30 years, Sanray Corp., which employed more than 3,000. He purchased the Perkins franchise and expanded it to ownership of 32 restaurants in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. He also owned and operated the VIP Entertainment Complex in Niles, Ohio, and Sandalini's in Meadville. He built the Holiday Inn Express, Imperial Gardens, Golfview Manor apartments/townhouse and he owned the All-American Gas Station and Car Wash. Most recently he operated Sandy's European Marketplace.
He served as a board member of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Meadville Medical Center and Western Region Advisory Board for the former PennBank. He also served as chairman of the Meadville Area Sports Banquet. He supported the Boy Scouts of America and received their highest honor. In 1982, Sandy was the recipient of the Harry C. Winslow Award, honoring his significant contribution to economic growth in the Meadville area.
Sandy was always proud of his Sicilian heritage and loved his hometown of Meadville. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, and being in his yard on his golf cart with his beloved dog, Lexie. Sandy will be remembered as a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and community member. He was the center of his large family and an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and remembered always.
In addition to his loving wife, Eileen, Sandy is survived by three daughters, Cynthia A. Zylak, Kathleen M. Bouslough and her husband, Arthur, and Robin E. Nickerson and her husband, Douglas, all of Meadville; 10 grandchildren, Jordan and Jennifer Zylak, Kallista Holzerland, Joel, Garrett and Torri Bouslough, and Christian, Morgan, Taylor and Cade Nickerson; two sisters, Vincena (Vinnie) Petruso of Meadville and Mary Schramm of Downers Grove, Ill.; two brothers, Joseph Petruso of Tonawanda, N.Y., and Sam Petruso and his wife, Betty, of Erie; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Sandy was preceded in death by a daughter, Christinia Petruso; a granddaughter, Halley E. Zylak; two sisters, Ann Caprini and Madge McMurray; and two brothers, Thomas Petruso and Dom Petruso.
Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, where a Scripture service will be conducted at 8:45. Family and friends are also invited to call on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 1085 Water St., Meadville, at 10 a.m. on Monday, with Father Richard J. Toohey, pastor, as celebrant.
Entombment will take place in St. Brigid Cemetery, West Mead Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 1085 Water St., St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church, 353 Pine St., or Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., all of Meadville, Pa. 16335.
Share your condolences at miznerfuneralhome@zoominternet.net.