Dr. Frank L. Petrola

 

It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. Frank L. Petrola, 85, of Wintersville, Ohio

announce the sudden and unexpected passing of their beloved father (“Tappy”) on Tuesday,

November 10, 2020 in Santa Ana, CA while vacationing with his family. He was born January

10, 1935 in Steubenville, Ohio, the son of the late Frank L. & Mary Catherine (Lukacs) Petrola.

He was a graduate of Catholic Central High School in 1952. Shortly after graduation he enlisted

in the US Navy where he became a Hospital Corpsman, but the Marine Corps requested his

transfer, where he then honorably finished his military service after four years serving in Korea

and Japan. Following discharge, he married Carol Ann Rinaldi of Weirton, WV, and they had

four children. He then graduated from Franciscan University in 1964. Following his graduation,

he worked at Pfizer Pharmaceutical, where he excelled and was honored with the Top

Salesman award numerous times. It was while calling on many physicians at Pfizer that he

began his dream to become a physician himself.

In 1970, Dr. Petrola received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Universidad Autonomo,

Guadalajara, Mexico (UAG). Dr. Petrola was president of his medical school class of 1969,

making him the first foreigner (American) to ever be elected to that position in the 50 years of

the school’s existence at that time. Also during medical school, Dr. Petrola founded along with

Dr. George Richards ( one of his best friends) and a few other classmates a medical clinic at the

church of San Martin de Porres, to provide medical care to the poorest sections of

Guadalajara. He served as Director of this clinic for three years. Following a residency at

Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren, OH, Dr Petrola opened his medical office as a Family

Practitioner in Weirton, WV where he practiced medicine for over 27 years until he retired in

May of 2000.

Dr Petrola spent the majority of his life dedicated to working for the good of Steubenville

and its surrounding communities. His focus was always on the welfare and well-being of the

Steubenville’s residents, especially the youth and the very elderly. In addition to his medical

practice, Dr. Petrola was a successful real estate investor. He also served on the boards of

many organizations: Chairman of the School of Bright Promise (15 years); Chairman of the

Jefferson County Air Authority (N.O.V.A.A.) (21 years); Chairman of the Jefferson County

Metropolitan Authority (5 years); and Chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Health (more

than 27 years).

During his later years Dr. Petrola enjoyed the simple pleasures of life including: going to the

Spot Bar every morning for his coffee time and enjoying the company of his good friends JoJo

and Mic amongst others, going daily and saying his prayers and rosary at St. Peter’s Church

chapel, which brought him great peace, eating routinely his Saturday dinners at The Farm

restaurant where he so very much enjoyed their wonderful food, staff and service, going to the

Big Red football games and escorting the team to victories with his best friend Sheriff Fred

Abdalla., and most of all he loved spending time with his family and lying in the sun and

swimming in his pool. Our only comfort in our father’s very unexpected passing was that he

was doing a few of his favorite things that brought him much happiness.

Dr Petrola is survived by his four children: Dr. Frank Petrola (Jackie), of Longs,SC, Dr. James

Petrola, of Cleveland,OH, Carol Guida (Anthony), of San Juan Capistrano, CA. and Barbara

Petrola, of Imperial,PA, his nine grandchildren: Frankie Petrola, Salvatore Petrola, Santino

Petrola, Enzo Petrola, Anthony Guida (Olivia), Nicholas Guida (Jackie), Christian Guida (Jerica),

Joshua Guida, & Francesco Petrola-Prata, his two great granddaughters: Shiloh Joy & Lily

James Guida, his siblings: Rose Marie Argentine,(deceased), Joann C. Bernabei, and Virginia

Mort, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dr Petrola was a wonderful man and had a very loving and generous heart and gave to

many different charities, organizations and people in need. The family suggests that friends, in

honor of his life, to give a generous gift to someone in need around them during these very

challenging and unprecedented times.

Our Father was a very beloved physician, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, employer, and a

loyal and special friend to many. He strived for excellence in everything he did, for a man that

was voted least likely to succeed in his senior high school class he greatly succeeded and

proved them all wrong. He was a man who loved and lived his life to the infamous words of

Frank Sinatra’s song and did it “My Way”….We thank you Lord for all that you have given to us

in this man who was the hero of our hearts. His presence now will be greatly missed but as a

family we are so very thankful and blessed in knowing that through our Faith in our Lord &

Savior and the gift of Eternal Salvation that one day we will all be together again…We Love You

Dad , Thank You …. You Were Simply The Best!

Friends may call at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 425 North Fourth Street, Steubenville, Ohio on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of funeral liturgy with mass at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Timothy Huffman officiating. Entombment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Written condolences and cards may be mailed to Dunlope-Shorac Funeral Home, P.O. Box 2250, Wintersville, OH 43953 or online condolences emailed to shorac.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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