Francis N. Petrillo, 1225 Bond St., Farrell, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, Jan. 8, 2012, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 81.

Mr. Petrillo was born Oct. 30, 1930 in Farrell a son of the late Nicholas and Rose Corso Petrillo.

A lifelong Farrell resident, he was a 1948 graduate of Farrell High School and attended Slippery Rock University.

During high school, Francis was a standout football player and co-captain of the Farrell High Night Riders and was named 'lineman of the year' by the Shenango Valley Jaycee's.

He was a member of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell.

Francis began a career in law enforcement in 1951 with the Farrell Police Department. Shortly afterwards he was drafted into the US Army and served from 1952-1954 during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged July 14, 1954 with the rank of Sgt. Ordinance Corp. and was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars; United Nations Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; and the Good Conduct Medal. He also received a Certificate of Achievement from General Clark. Following the war, Francis returned to the police force in Farrell and held the rank of Sgt. until 1960 when he became the Chief of Police, a position he held until 1968. During his tenure he developed the Juvenile Officer program to help coordinate efforts between the City of Farrell and the Farrell School District. He was also instrumental in forming the first Narcotic Unit and K-9 Unit in the Shenango Valley and was a member of the PA Chief of Police Association. Francis was elect!

ed to Farrell City Council in 1969 and appointed Mayor shortly afterwards. He was then elected to a four year term and honored to appoint Mr. James Gillespie as Farrell's first African American Chief of Police. Francis helped the former Shenango Valley Osteopathic Hospital locate in the City of Farrell and led the process to rezone property along Sharon-New Castle Rd. which is now home to many medical facilities. He established the City of Farrell's first Industrial Park and laid the groundwork for its new city building. He was a member of the PA League of Cities legislative committee. Francis was employed in the plant protection department of the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation; Sharon Steel's former Brainard Strapping Division where he was union president; and retired from the security department at the former Trinity Industries, Greenville.

Surviving are: his wife at home, the former Mary Tallarico, whom he married February 23, 1957 in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, with the late Msgr. Geno Monti, presiding; three daughters, Renee Petrillo and Lorie Petrillo, both Farrell; and Tracey (Petrillo) Griffin, wife of James, Sharpsville; three grandchildren, BreAnna, Dakota and Giovanni Griffin, all Sharpsville; and a brother, August Petrillo, Hermitage.

Besides his parents, Francis was preceded in death by a brother, John Petrillo; and a sister, Rose M. (Petrillo) Venetti.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell, officiating.

Military honors will be rendered by the West Middlesex VFW and the Wheatland American Legion Honor Guard prior to the service in the funeral home.

Interment: St. Anthony Cemetery, Hermitage.