Michael R. Petti, of Yorktown, Dies at 91

From the Yorktown Funeral Home: Michael R. Petti passed away Jan. 17, 2013 at the Field Home Holy Comforter. He was 91. 

He was born on Feb. 8, 1921 in the Bronx to the late John G. Petti Sr. and Antoinette Valerio. He married Eleanor Fitzgerald on May 29, 1948. In the early 1960′s he settled in Yorktown Heights to raise his family.

He is predeceased by his eldest daughter Michele C. Medeiros in 2000. He is survived by his devoted wife Eleanor, his brother John G. Petti Jr. and sister Marie A. Clancy. He is also survived by his children Michael R. Petti Jr. and Eleanor Petti-Elsasser, as well as grandchildren, Joseph Medeiros, Amanda Medeiros-Jurado, Michele Medeiros, Jessica Medeiros-Olivieri, Miles Petti, Christopher, Olivia and Savannah Elsasser and great-grandchildren Armani Jurado, Mikaila Medeiros, Jillian Olivieri and Lilah Jurado. Also surviving are son-in-laws Edward Medeiros, Richard Elsasser and several nieces and nephews.

Petti honorably served in World War II. He later attended and became a degreed graduate of NYU. He started his teaching career in Mt. Vernon and retired from Eastchester in the late 1980′s. During this time he was also a basketball and football coach.

Upon retiring he substituted in Lakeland, Yorktown and Mahopac School districts. He was nicknamed by many as “Tank” or “Moose.” He was a strong-willed and driven man who devoted his life to his family. He loved to ski, read, cook, eat, travel, garden, going to casinos, and was a loyal fan of Notre Dame. He could delve into politics like no other we knew. He was a member of Yorktown Knights of Columbus and an active parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

The man was buried on Tuesday, Jan. 22. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice Care of Westchester and Putnam, 540 White Plains Road, Ste. 300, Tarrytown, NY 10591.