Obituary: Peter M. Petrarca, 78, of Waterbury

Obituary courtesy of Maiorano Funeral Home

“Loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather”

WATERBURY, CT - Mr. Peter M. Petrarca, age 78, passed away, with his family by his side on Thursday, April 15, 2021 in the VITAS Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital. He was the devoted husband of Marianne (Marzano) Petrarca.

Pete was born on May 20, 1942 in Waterbury, son of the late Michael and Ida (Pannoni) Petrarca. He was a graduate of Crosby High School, and a proud U.S. National Guard veteran. After high school, Pete worked for Anaconda/American Brass for several years before taking a job at Timex, Inc. where he worked as a senior buyer for over fifteen years. In 1991, Pete founded Distinctive Countertops in Wolcott which he operated for over 25 years with his son, Brian, until his retirement in 2018.

Along with Marianne, Pete was a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and a past Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas Church. He was a longtime member of UNICO, the Waterbury B.P.O. Elks #265, and the Lega Siciliana Social Club. Very active in many local organizations, Pete was recognized by several including Waterbury Knights Football, Sacred Heart High School, and Crosby High School. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed restoring and cruising in his classic Buick.

A man of many talents, Pete was gifted with his hands, and could build or fix anything. Above all, Pete was devoted to his family and was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. His grandchildren were the joy of his life and he never missed a game, performance, or event.

In addition to Marianne, his loving wife of 55 years, Pete is survived by his children Michael Petrarca and his wife Denise of Charlestown, W.VA, Bernadette Mecca and her husband David of Watertown, and Brian Petrarca and his wife Hope of Waterbury; his beloved grandchildren Kaylie Mecca, Nicholas Petrarca, Julia Mecca, Gillian Petrarca, Alyssa Petrarca, Zachary Petrarca, Cecelia Petrarca, Landon Petrarca, and DJ Mecca. He also leaves his mother-in-law Margaret Marzano of Waterbury; his brother Raymond Petrarca of Waterbury; his nephews Gene Best and Steven Petrarca and his niece Karina Berardi as well as several grandnieces and grandnephews and numerous cousins located in Waterbury, Hartford and Rhode Island including Edmond Pannoni and Artie Lerz to whom he was especially close.

The Petrarca family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff in the Saint Mary’s Intensive Care Unit, the Stepdown Intensive Care Unit, and the VITAS team with a special thank you to Dr. Kevin Baratta and Dr. Mark Ciampi for their outstanding and compassionate care shown to Pete throughout his time there.

His funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 10:00am from Maiorano Funeral Home to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for a Mass at 11:00am. Burial with full military honors will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Walk-through calling hours will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:00-8:00pm. Everyone attending will be required to wear face masks and social distancing guidelines will be strictly followed.

Memorial contributions in Pete’s name may be made to: Waterbury UNICO, P.O. Box 933, Waterbury, CT 06721-0933. Please indicate for the “Scholarship Fund” on the check or to The Lega Siciliana Club “Scholarship Fund”, 96 Oakwood Ave., Waterbury, CT 06708.

For more information, to sign the online guestbook, or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.