JOSEPH JOHN PETTIT, JR.'s Obituary
PETTIT Jr., Joseph J. 89, passed away peacefully Feb 25, 2016. Born in Woodruff, SC on Jan. 9, 1927 raised & schooled in Miami. He lived a full and productive life as a loving husband, father, grandfather, U.S. Navy sailor and professional elevator man, fondly referring to himself as “Big Pettit”. Before graduating in Dec 1943 he filled out paperwork to join the Navy but learned that he was too young and had to wait until his birthday in 1944 to enlist. 3 days later he was on a troop train to the Navy training camp in Perry, Virginia learning to be an electrician & motorman. Aboard the LST 29, he made 2 invasions in the Pacific before his 18th birthday. After the war he became a proud member of Miami’s IUEC Local 71 & became a proficient elevator mechanic. He took great pride in his work and enjoyed working on elevators for 42 ½ years. He was also one of the founders of the Union’s elevator apprenticeship program and served as an instructor for many years. He met the love of his life Frances Gay Rogers at a Miami American Legion dance & they soon married. They became avid square dancers that would jump at a chance to square up many times a week and loved to travel, visiting the entire U.S. & many, many countries around the world. They were married for almost 60 years before her passing in 2011. Also predeceased by his daughter Linda (Ben D’Amico), and Sister Dorothy (Jerry Fitzgerald), he is survived by his brother Harold Pettit; son John (Mary) Pettit & 6 grandchildren Lorie Winer, John Satterfield, Jessica Lafarga, Michael D’Amico, Britni Pettit & Erin Pettit and 6 great grandchildren Nicole Winer, Lila & Julia Satterfield, Kayle & Shyanne D’Amico and Mason Lafarga. Visitation for family & friends will be held at Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel on Friday, March 4 from 6 to 10pm, services at 8pm. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at Flagler Memorial Park on Sat., March 5, at 11 am. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his honor to the National World War II Museum http://www.nationalww2museum.org/honor/tribute-gifts.html or your favorite charity.
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