John W. Petro, 91 of Hopwood, PA, died on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at Cherry Tree Nursing Home, Uniontown, PA. He was born in Uniontown on January 30, 1925, son of the late Michael and Catherine (Veno) Petro. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Irene Petro; brothers, Michael Petro, Atty. Frank Petro, George Petro, and Charles Petro; and special friend Sylvia Mergo.

John was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church. He was a graduate of Uniontown High School Class of 1943, and was an active member of the Class Reunion Committee.

During WWII he proudly served his country in the Pacific Theatre of Operations, United States Army Air Corp, Air Transport Command D Unit 1537, from June 1943 to February 1946, earning four Battle Stars.

He was the owner and operator of Petro Restaurant and Tavern, for 42 years before retiring; and owned a horse farm in Woodside for 29 years. He was a Life Member of the following organizations: Uniontown VFW Post 47, North Union VFW Post 8543, American Legion Post 51, Amvets Post 103, Hutchinson Sportsmen's Club, and B.P.O. Elks # 370.

John was one of the founders and planners of the World War II Memorial located at the Fayette County Courthouse; hosted the WWII Veterans free Spaghetti Dinner in 2008 at the Uniontown VFW Post 47 for 153 Fayette County WWII Veterans, meals prepared by the Uniontown Sons of Italy; and was honored by Career Link for 60 years of Veteran Volunteering.

He was proud to be one of the founders and major fund raisers of the Hopwood Village Project, serving as Vice Chairman, Flag Committee Chairman, and Co-Chairman on the Activities Committee. He was instrumental in arranging the VFW Post 47- North Union Post 8543 State Band to play for Flag Days in Hopwood, and at the American Legion Post 51. In 2002 he was elected King of the Hopwood National Pike Days.

John enjoyed golfing. He was a member of the NemacolinWoodlands 400 Golf Club; member and Past President of five years of Fayette Seniors Golf Association, which played at Nemacolin Woodlands; President of the VFW Post 47 Golf League for 12 years, and B.P.O. Elks # 370 Golf League.. He served on Founders Committees for VFW Post 47 Seniors, Nemacolin Woodlands, and VFW Post 47 Junior Golf League Program.

Left to cherish his memory is his brother, Edward Petro; nieces, Sandra Tracy and Frances Rallo; nephews, Robert Petro and Allen Petro, and very special friend and companion, Patricia Clutter.

Friends will be received at the Stephen R. Haky Funeral Home, Inc., 603 N. Gallatin Ave., Ext., Uniontown, PA, on Friday, September 16, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm; and on Saturday, September 17 until 9:15 a.m. when the Panachida Service will be held.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 185 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA, with Rev. Father Ronald P. Larko as celebrant.

Interment will be held at St. John's Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Hopwood, PA, where military honors will be accorded by VFW Post 8543.

The Parastas Service will be held on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

It was John's wish that donations in his memory be made to St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 185 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA, 15401.