Pete Petronka
Pete Petronka, 91, of Washington, formerly of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully, Sunday morning, June 27, 2021, in Bridgeville Rehab-Care Center, Bridgeville.
He was born March 25, 1930, in Washington, a son of the late Stephan and Mary Kopcha Petronka.
Pete lived most of his life in Canonsburg where he was a member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, where he was a tenor in the choir, served on St. John’s council and was chairman of the church bingo. He was a life member of the Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for 55 years, was chairman of the annual fair bingo and never missed a 4th of July parade in uniform.
He proudly served from 1948 until 1952 with the United States Navy as a Petty Officer 1st Class in Korea aboard the USS Leyte.
He had been employed at J & L Steel Works in Aliquippa and prior to his retirement was employed as a big builder at the Pennsylvania Transformer, McGraw Edison and Cooper Industries.
Pete kept in shape by walking his dogs, which were mostly rescue dogs, on the Canonsburg Hospital Trail. He always had a vegetable garden, even at Strabane Trails, and gladly shared his bounty with everyone. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed scratch off lottery tickets and playing poker with his buddies. A member of the Russian Brotherhood Organization, Pete also belonged to the Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ) Lodge in Strabane, Elks Lodge and Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion Post 902 in Houston and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2026 in Canonsburg, where he served as past commander.
Pete and his wife Dorothy were avid travelers. They created numerous wonderful memories traveling all over the world to such places as Russia, the Mediterranean, Alaska, Hawaii and even across the Arctic Circle. They also enjoyed attending his Navy reunions.
On August 7, 1954, he married his beloved wife of 66 years, Dorothy Jean Povich, who passed away December 2, 2020. Left behind to cherish his memory are his devoted daughters, Sonia J. Blaha and her husband Richard of Washington and Tamara Ann Petronka of Catonsville, Md.; sisters, Eva Chupinsky (Dr. John) of Washington and Olga Povich of Houston; brothers, John (Geri) Petronka and E. Nick Petronka, both of Washington; several nieces, nephews and godchildren.
Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, is his brother, Frank Petronka.
Friends and family are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. June 29, in St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 601 Boone Avenue, Canonsburg, where Parastas services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday. June 30, with the Rev. John Joseph Kotalik officiating. Those attending are asked to meet at the church. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. Full military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 Honor Guard. Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department will hold services at 7 p.m. Tuesday in St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church. Memorial contributions in Pete’s name may be made to St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 601 Boone Avenue, Canonsburg, and the Canonsburg Fire Department, 1 Greenside Avenue, Canonsburg. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra LFD, owner/supervisor 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120. To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.