Francis X. Petrini, former longtime resident of Sharon, passed away Friday, June 23, 2017, in St. Mary's at Asbury Ridge, Erie, PA.  He was 79.

Mr. Petrini was born May 29, 1938, in Sharon, the eldest son of Patricia (Biggins) Petrini and Victor L. Petrini.  He attended the former St. Joseph Parochial Grade School in Sharon; Cathedral Prep in Erie; and graduated from Sharon High School in 1956.  During high school, he was employed as a carpenter in the summer months for Petrini Realty and Insurance Company building homes in Sharon. Francis attended the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, and also worked for Bimsco Lumber Company in South Bend selling building materials.  He returned to Sharon in 1961 to work for Petrini Realty & Insurance Company, which was owned by his father, Victor, and his uncles, Al and Mark Petrini.  This was a family business begun by his grandfather, Thomas G. Petrini, in 1919.  It was in this family business that Francis remained until his retirement in 2002.  He received many awards throughout his career for his service and his philanthropy.  Francis was never too shy to give a person the opportunity to donate to a worthy organization.

During his years of service to the community, Francis served as campaign chairman for the United Way of Mercer County, president of the Sharon Rotary Club, president of the French Creek Council Boy Scouts of America, president and charter member of the Serra Club of Mercer County and belonged to many other organizations where he gave of his time and talents.

Francis has always worked in various capacities in his Church, St. Joseph's.  He was a member of the finance board at St. Joseph's and was a charter member of its Parish Council.  He also served as a past chairman of the board for St. Rose Cemetery Association in Hermitage. He also was a member of Corpus Christi Church, Conneaut, Ohio.  Francis and his wife, Carole, were recognized for their lifelong service to the Church with the Papal Award in 2012.

In 2009, Francis and his wife relocated to the shore of Lake Erie in Conneaut, Ohio, and enjoyed keeping up with local news by reading the digital edition of The Herald.

Surviving is his wife of 58 years, the former Carole M. Renkin, whom he married August 30, 1958; nine children and their spouses, Andy and Laura Petrini, Joan and Christopher Willy, Bob and Mary Kay Petrini, Mary and Bob Russo, Barbara and Larry Meinen, Frank and Christine Petrini, Patty and Darren Guido, Marcia and Allan Romeo and Kate and Mark Iacino; 21 grandchildren, Sarah, Sam, Leah, Nichole, Megan, Michael, Diana, Kristen, Bobby, Tom, Abby, Matt, Frankie, Natalie, Gianna, Dominic, Alexandra, AJ, Rocco, Ava and Emma; eight great grandchildren, Nolan, Victor, Brielle, Lucca, Giana, Francesca, Evan and Xavier; five siblings, Catherine (John) Miller, Dr. Marcia Petrini, Leo Petrini, Patrick (Colleen) Petrini and Joseph (Diane) Petrini; and many nieces and nephews.


Francis was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Richard.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Rose Cemetery c/o St. Joseph Church, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, PA 16146 or St. Mary's at Asbury Ridge, 4855 W. Ridge Rd., Erie, PA 16506.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 26, 2017 , in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2017 , in St. Joseph Church, Sharon, with Rev. Thomas Whitman, pastor, Rev. Glenn Whitman, former pastor, and Rev. John M. Fischer, retired priest and a friend of Francis' for many years, as concelebrants.  Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.