Donald Peter Petro

DONALD PETER PETRO passed away on September 13, 2013, at the home he shared with his wife of 50 years, Gwen Petro. Don was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 21, 1933, the son of Helen and William Petro. While in high school, he was Captain of the wrestling team, winning many competitions. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Division, as a Weapons Armorer and then attended Ohio State. In 1963 he married Gwen Smith in Munich, Germany. The family moved to Petaluma in 1968, where he became active in the community, serving on the Petaluma Water Commission, the Site Design Review Committee and on the Board of the Petaluma Concert Association. In 1980, Don conceived and founded the primary fundraiser for the Casa Grande High School Music Association. He also supported his children's interests by teaching 4-H projects in Electricity and Rocketry. In 1979, Don formed "Petro Construction" as a company specializing in commercial and industrial metal buildings. His buildings won numerous design awards for their aesthetics and creativity. His work can be observed throughout Sonoma County and beyond at wineries, warehouses, fire-stations, a forestry building, an air-craft hangar, bowling alley, grocery store, and refrigerated storage buildings; his contribution to the community remains. Don ran the Petro "Safe and Sane" Fireworks business. He also served as a member of the Safe and Sane Fireworks Advisory Committee to the State Fire Marshal in Sacramento. Don is survived by his wife, Gwen, daughters, Monika Petersen (Fred) and Cheryl LaSalle (Derek), son, Brian Petro (Brett), and grandchildren Daniel and Gregory Petersen, Kimberly LaSalle, and Benjamin, Samuel and Elisabeth Petro. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, William Petro. Funeral services will be held at the Petaluma United Methodist Church, 410 D Street, Petaluma, CA 94952 on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Donations in Don's memory can be made to: EFM (Eastside Friends of Music), Casa Grande High School, Attention: Sean Millard, 333 Casa Grande Road, Petaluma, CA 94954 - (Please include a memo saying that the donation is in memory of Don Petro.) Family assisted by PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, Petaluma.