Obituary of Joseph John Petit

In the early morning hours of May 16, 2013, Joseph John Petit passed quietly away at the age of 88. Devoted father and loving husband, Joe had a full life and was admired and respected by all who knew him. One of the 13 children of John Petit and Elizabeth Besch, Joe was born in Batavia, Illinois and graduated from Marmion Military Academy before joining the Navy to serve in WWII. As a Torpedoman’s Mate 2nd Class aboard the Sea Devil SS-400, he saw action in the Pacific Theater before returning home to complete his education with a BA in Music from DePaul University in Chicago. It was his lifelong passion for music that brought him to California, where he was reacquainted with his future wife, Betty Jane Kreicker, when they both were auditioning for the San Francisco Opera. They were married in June of 1953 and started a family the following year. In addition to his career as a senior executive with AT&T for nearly three decades, Joe’s other interests included singing with the Bell Choraleers and as a member of the Bohemian Club. He was an avid golfer and spent hours on his computer, maintaining contact with his former Sea Devil shipmates through a website that he designed and updated regularly. Joe is survived by his wife, Betty; brother, Leo; and three sisters, Mary Michels, Betty Wolles and Camille Kramer. Also surviving are his five children, Camille Fastle, Christopher (Roslyn), Craig (Christine), Colleen Cisneros (Pedro) and Charles (Renee). He also enjoyed his time spent with his six grandchildren, Alex, Erik, Nicholas, Diana, Drew and Erin. The family will be holding private services at a later date. Please leave memories of Joe or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.