John J. Petrillo

SCARBOROUGH – John J. Petrillo, of Scarborough, passed away peacefully on Oct. 14, 2022.

John was born on Sept. 10, 1943, the youngest child of John A. Petrillo and Beatrice (Thomasino) Petrillo. Along with his sisters Camille and Patricia, John grew up in Southington, Conn., among many friends and a large and lively extended family. He had fond memories of people, places, and cars in Southington, Conn., and also summer visits to Maine.

John graduated from Southington High School in 1961, and from St. Ambrose College in 1965 with a degree in History and Political Science. He then began a career in sales while serving in the U.S. Army Reserves.

In 1968, John met Jackie Babor, a young teacher from New York who was a work friend of his sister Pat. John and Jackie married in 1970 and then moved to a cottage in Pine Point in 1971. That first winter was chilly but must have been pretty charming, as the couple became Mainers for life. Their son Alan was born in Portland in 1973.

After working as a leasing manager for Brown Chrysler-Plymouth in Portland, John became sales manager for truck equipment distributor Hews Body Co. in South Portland. In 1981, John struck out on his own. With his hard work, intelligence, and ability to build trust with people, John became a successful independent representative for truck equipment producers. His long affiliation with a midwestern company, Omaha Standard, expanded John’s business as well as his already large circle of devoted friends.

John stepped away from the traveling rep’s long-distance lifestyle in 1997, but he never stopped going places. He owned and maintained numerous classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles, but his favorite was the sailboat on which he and Jackie and friends enjoyed many adventures on the coast of Maine.

In their retirement, John and Jackie savored the relationships they had built throughout their lives together. Their Scarborough home often welcomed son, Alan, Alan’s wife, Kristin, and their children Ezra and Julian. Family and friends old and new, from as far as Florida and as near as next door, continued to gather around John to share in his wisdom and affection. Before passing away peacefully in hospice, John spent a few final days at home last week, still very much the man we’ve known and loved over so many years.

John was predeceased by his parents; and sisters Camille Wojcik and Patricia Magaudda.

He is survived by wife, Jacqueline Petrillo; son, Alan Petrillo, daughter-in-law, Kristin Petrillo, granddaughter Ezra Petrillo, grandson Julian Petrillo; brother-in-law, Francis Wojcik; nephews Ronald Wojcik and Mark Wojcik, and nieces Michelle Magaudda and Gina Magaudda.

On Tuesday, Oct. 18, there will be visiting hours for John from 10 to 12 p.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd. in South Portland. A funeral service and reception will follow. He will be buried in a private ceremony at Riverside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth at a later date.

In lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.