John Michael Petri Sr., 82

August 11 1942 – March 29 2025

One of five children born to Francis and Constance Petri in North Adams Massachusetts and lived with his three sisters Diane, Nan, Frances along with brother James. He attended local schools and graduated from Drury High School in 1961. 

As a young boy he enjoyed fishing and playing Little League baseball for the North Adams Rotary Club. Later in life he developed a passion for golf which he continued to play regularly throughout life. His family home was located across the street from Harriman and West Airport where he began his journey in aviation. He earned his private pilot license at the age of 17 followed by his Commercial rating along with Flight Instructor certification at 18. He later earned his Airline Transport License at the age of 23 working for Mohawk Valley Aviation under George West, the Company President and a mentor. In 1968 he was offered an opportunity to fly for the entertainment company CBS in New York where he eventually became Chief Pilot. In his role he flew top CBS executives as well as notables the likes of Henry Kissinger, Walter Cronkite, Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones and many others. After 16 years he moved on to Unilever United States flying all over the world until he retired. He was well known and respected figure in the aviation industry. During his life he performed acts of heroism. In 1958 a Navy aircraft crashed at the local airport killing the two Pilots but a third was ejected from the burning wreckage. At the age of 15 he and another placed the Crewmember in the back of a truck before Emergency Crews arrived and drove him to the local Hospital which resulted in him surviving the accident as well as later retiring from the Navy. In another incident a local small airplane found itself above a low cloud layer that moved in over the area and were in serious trouble and unable to land. John was advised of the situation and took off in a twin-engine Cessna where he located the airplane in distress and guided them to a safe landing. When asked about it later his response was it was “no big deal”. 

His favorite place on Earth was his home on Candlewood Lake in Brookfield Connecticut, a very special place where he enjoyed spending countless days with his loving wife, children and grandchildren. Known as “POP” he was cherished for his kind heart and fun loving personality by all who met him and his legacy will live on forever in our hearts.

He leaves behind his brother James Petri of North Adams. Loving Wife Carol and four children. John petri Jr. and his Wife Liz of Virginia, Carolyn Panzarino and her husband Michael of New York, Scot Killen of Connecticut, John Killen and his wife Debbie from New York. Eight grandchildren Michael, Matthew, Brian, Eric, Glynnis, Morgan, Chase and Jake as well as five greatgrandchildren. He was predeceased by three sisters Frances “Frankie” Jones, Nan Marie Vareski and Dianne Petri.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to ST. Jude’s Childrens Hospital or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. To add to the book of Memories, please visit flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.