Richard Maurice Petri

Bellevue, Washington - Richard Maurice Petri: Dick was born in Kenmore, NY to William Peter Petri, (building contractor and finish carpenter) and Merriam Stone Petri, (a school principal). During the Great Depression, they relocated to Wellsville, NY and purchased “The Home Diner”. Dick could often be found peeling potatoes and helping out when he was not in school.

Dick enjoyed his years in middle school – high school and could be found most days walking to and from with his best friends, Tubby and Steve. He especially had fun in school as the center of the undefeated 1943 WHS football team! After he graduated he held a few local jobs. He was a projector operator at the local theater, a butcher, and a dump truck driver, before enlisting in the Navy during WWII where he was stationed in Casablanca. He did construction for the mine sweepers, shore-side.

 After his discharge, he was an executive for IBM, taking on the challenge to live and work in Europe for 10 years; then several other cities throughout the US. He relocated to Seattle, where he owned and operated an apartment complex. He also worked for Johnson Controls as an executive project manager for a large job like the Kingdome in Seattle.

Dick was very active his entire life and his interests, diverse. He could be found collecting coins and stamps to golfing, dancing, playing bridge, international cruising, and world-wide travel. He was always most elated to share these adventures with his wife Delores, by his side. He adored her! Besides being a snappy dresser, he’s been an amazing husband, step-father, grandfather, and uncle!

All residing in the Seattle Washington area, Dick is survived by his wife, Delores Frink-Petri having spent 47 years together; two step-daughters Kathryn Marie Ferleman and Julie Ann (Glen) McBarron. Grandchildren: Daniel Clark, Andrew Ferleman, Jennifer Kolowinski, and Emily McBarron. He is survived by several nieces and nephews; Michelle (Dan) Petri-Goldman of Timonium, MD; William (Mary Ann) Petri of Charlottesville, VA; Elizabeth (Rob) Petri Henske of Cambridge, MA; Steven Richard (Sarah) Petri of FL; Kevin (Ginny) LaForge of Wellsville, NY; William Richard (Alisha) LaForge, of Belmont, NY and several great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law William Arthur and Ann Emmons Petri; his sister and brother-in-law June (Petri) and F. Stanley LaForge.

Dick took great pride in his military service and has supported numerous Veteran organizations throughout his lifetime. If you choose to make a memorial donation, please consider donating to your local VA Association.

To celebrate Dick’s life, a military graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021, 1:00 PM at the Woodlawn Cemetery, South Main Street, Wellsville, NY. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.