Orlando A. Petrillo, better known as Pete, 92, of Elyria, who received the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving his radio operator`s life, passed away on Monday, November 12, 2007.
Born in Republic, Pa., he moved to Lorain, and graduated from Lorain High School Class of 1933B.
During WWII, he served in the Third Division, Eighth Air Force as a staff sargeant with the 709th Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group stationed in England. He had 35 bombing missions as a gunner on a B-17, and received the European, African, Middle Eastern Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning from combat, he was a Central Fire Control Instructor on B-29`s.
Pete was a Prudential agent and staff manager from 1946-1977. After retirement, he and his wife, June, traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe, spending their 50th wedding anniversary on the Orient Express.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elyria, a former Charter Member of Community Methodist Church, Life Member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 12, and Fifth District Chaplain Auxiliary Police. Pete was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a Life Member of the Italian-Americans Veterans Post 1 Lorain.
He was a Charter Member and First Finance Officer of Amvets in Lorain, and Life Member of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society and served eight years on the Board of Directors. He was the last survivor of the Lorain Number 5 Volunteer Fire Station, a Trustee of the American Legion Buckeye Boys State, and served under three mayors as a member of the Elyria Civil Service Commission.
He received the American Legion Man of the Year Award in 1969, the Prudential Community Achievement Award, was a charter member of the Amherst Workshop Players, and was active in the American Lung Association and Girl Scouts.
Pete`s hobbies were cooking spaghetti suppers, golf, and working crossword puzzles.
He was preceded in death by his wife, June (nee Harrison); daughter, Shelley; parents, Angelo and Mary (nee Cerra); sister, Louise Medaglia (nee Petrillo); and a brother, Michael.
Survivors include brothers, John of Vermilion, and Fior of Lorain; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 16, 2007, at First United Methodist Church, 312 Third St., Elyria.
Memorial gifts and donations can be made to the donor`s choice or the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402.
Born in Republic, Pa., he moved to Lorain, and graduated from Lorain High School Class of 1933B.
During WWII, he served in the Third Division, Eighth Air Force as a staff sargeant with the 709th Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group stationed in England. He had 35 bombing missions as a gunner on a B-17, and received the European, African, Middle Eastern Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning from combat, he was a Central Fire Control Instructor on B-29`s.
Pete was a Prudential agent and staff manager from 1946-1977. After retirement, he and his wife, June, traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe, spending their 50th wedding anniversary on the Orient Express.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elyria, a former Charter Member of Community Methodist Church, Life Member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 12, and Fifth District Chaplain Auxiliary Police. Pete was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a Life Member of the Italian-Americans Veterans Post 1 Lorain.
He was a Charter Member and First Finance Officer of Amvets in Lorain, and Life Member of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society and served eight years on the Board of Directors. He was the last survivor of the Lorain Number 5 Volunteer Fire Station, a Trustee of the American Legion Buckeye Boys State, and served under three mayors as a member of the Elyria Civil Service Commission.
He received the American Legion Man of the Year Award in 1969, the Prudential Community Achievement Award, was a charter member of the Amherst Workshop Players, and was active in the American Lung Association and Girl Scouts.
Pete`s hobbies were cooking spaghetti suppers, golf, and working crossword puzzles.
He was preceded in death by his wife, June (nee Harrison); daughter, Shelley; parents, Angelo and Mary (nee Cerra); sister, Louise Medaglia (nee Petrillo); and a brother, Michael.
Survivors include brothers, John of Vermilion, and Fior of Lorain; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 16, 2007, at First United Methodist Church, 312 Third St., Elyria.
Memorial gifts and donations can be made to the donor`s choice or the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402.
Orlando A. Petrillo, better known as Pete, 92, of Elyria, who received the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving his radio operator`s life, passed away on Monday, November 12, 2007.
Born in Republic, Pa., he moved to Lorain, and graduated from Lorain High School Class of 1933B.
During WWII, he served in the Third Division, Eighth Air Force as a staff sargeant with the 709th Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group stationed in England. He had 35 bombing missions as a gunner on a B-17, and received the European, African, Middle Eastern Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning from combat, he was a Central Fire Control Instructor on B-29`s.
Pete was a Prudential agent and staff manager from 1946-1977. After retirement, he and his wife, June, traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe, spending their 50th wedding anniversary on the Orient Express.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elyria, a former Charter Member of Community Methodist Church, Life Member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 12, and Fifth District Chaplain Auxiliary Police. Pete was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a Life Member of the Italian-Americans Veterans Post 1 Lorain.
He was a Charter Member and First Finance Officer of Amvets in Lorain, and Life Member of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society and served eight years on the Board of Directors. He was the last survivor of the Lorain Number 5 Volunteer Fire Station, a Trustee of the American Legion Buckeye Boys State, and served under three mayors as a member of the Elyria Civil Service Commission.
He received the American Legion Man of the Year Award in 1969, the Prudential Community Achievement Award, was a charter member of the Amherst Workshop Players, and was active in the American Lung Association and Girl Scouts.
Pete`s hobbies were cooking spaghetti suppers, golf, and working crossword puzzles.
He was preceded in death by his wife, June (nee Harrison); daughter, Shelley; parents, Angelo and Mary (nee Cerra); sister, Louise Medaglia (nee Petrillo); and a brother, Michael.
Survivors include brothers, John of Vermilion, and Fior of Lorain; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 16, 2007, at First United Methodist Church, 312 Third St., Elyria.
Memorial gifts and donations can be made to the donor`s choice or the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402.
Born in Republic, Pa., he moved to Lorain, and graduated from Lorain High School Class of 1933B.
During WWII, he served in the Third Division, Eighth Air Force as a staff sargeant with the 709th Squadron of the 447th Bomb Group stationed in England. He had 35 bombing missions as a gunner on a B-17, and received the European, African, Middle Eastern Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning from combat, he was a Central Fire Control Instructor on B-29`s.
Pete was a Prudential agent and staff manager from 1946-1977. After retirement, he and his wife, June, traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe, spending their 50th wedding anniversary on the Orient Express.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elyria, a former Charter Member of Community Methodist Church, Life Member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 12, and Fifth District Chaplain Auxiliary Police. Pete was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a Life Member of the Italian-Americans Veterans Post 1 Lorain.
He was a Charter Member and First Finance Officer of Amvets in Lorain, and Life Member of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society and served eight years on the Board of Directors. He was the last survivor of the Lorain Number 5 Volunteer Fire Station, a Trustee of the American Legion Buckeye Boys State, and served under three mayors as a member of the Elyria Civil Service Commission.
He received the American Legion Man of the Year Award in 1969, the Prudential Community Achievement Award, was a charter member of the Amherst Workshop Players, and was active in the American Lung Association and Girl Scouts.
Pete`s hobbies were cooking spaghetti suppers, golf, and working crossword puzzles.
He was preceded in death by his wife, June (nee Harrison); daughter, Shelley; parents, Angelo and Mary (nee Cerra); sister, Louise Medaglia (nee Petrillo); and a brother, Michael.
Survivors include brothers, John of Vermilion, and Fior of Lorain; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Friday, November 16, 2007, at First United Methodist Church, 312 Third St., Elyria.
Memorial gifts and donations can be made to the donor`s choice or the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, P.O. Box 1992, Savannah, GA 31402.
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