John V. Petitti

John V. Petitti, 84, Businessman; Beloved Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather. John Petitti, 84 of New Jersey, died Saturday at St. George Village in Roswell, Georgia. Born on a farm in Faeto, Italy he moved with his parents and three brothers, Nick, Vito, and Leonard, to the United States in 1929. Settling in New Jersey, he earned a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Newark College of Engineering, now known as the New Jersey Institute of Technology. During World War II, he served proudly on the battlefields in central Europe as a Staff Sergeant in the 89th Infantry Division, earning 2 Bronze Stars and several other honors. After returning from active service, he joined his father, Joseph Petitti and his 2 brothers, Nick and Vito and together they started a manufacturing business, West Side Screw Machine Products Company. They operated this family business together for over 50 years. He remained close to his brother Leonard, an MD, who settled in Louisiana. John was the youngest of the four boys and the last surviving brother. During his college tenure, he was a proud member of the fraternity, Alpha Phi Delta. Following graduation, he and 6 fellow fraternity brothers and their spouses formed a group called the "Magnificent Seven" who remain very close friends to the present day and deserve special mention - Ann and Joe Messina, Pam and Joe Agnello, Madeline and Ames Giordano, Evelyn and Ralph Campanella, Gloria and Carl Pasquale, and Delores and Ollie D'Amato. He met his wife Sylvia Annunziato of Belleville, New Jersey and they married in 1948. Together with close family and friends they celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1998. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, who passed away in December, 2000. An avid golfer he enjoyed many years of membership at the Colonia Country Club in Colonia, NJ. Not only an active golfer, he played a strong role in the administration of the club in its early years. He was proud that this was a place where many family milestones were celebrated. True to his early roots, he had a passion for gardening and produced award winning tomatoes. One of the original founders of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mountainside, New Jersey he was a faithful and dedicated parishioner for over 40 years. A memorial service will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes at a future time. Surviving are two sons Richard and Michael; three daughters, Marilyn Stevenson, Carol McDonald, and Barbara Petitti; and ten grandchildren, Elena, Larissa, Anna, Michael, Eric, Rachel, Patrick, Allison, Daniel, and Anthony; two great grandchildren, Isabella and Samantha and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. He also leaves three beloved sisters in law; Olga, Mildred, and Rosine Petitti. Also surviving are close friend, Arlene Riccio and her family. He will be remembered lovingly by his family and friends as a generous and fun-loving man. He achieved the American dream and always maintained true pride in his Italian heritage. His favorite activity was celebrating good times with all of those close to him. Viewing hours are schedules from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, Georgia. The funeral service is scheduled on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell, Georgia. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The New Jersey Institute of Technology Alumni Scholarship Fund, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102-1982 or to the memorial fund of The American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006. Condolences can be sent to Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA. 30075

John V. Petitti

January 22, 1922 - October 28, 2006