Sandy B. Petruso

Mr. Sandy B. Petruso, (Santo Benedetto) 82, of 1141 Carmont Dr., Meadville, passed away Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 at Hamot Medical Center, Erie.
Sandy was born in Meadville on May 27, 1927, a son of the late Domenic and Frances (Aiola) Petruso.
Sandy married Eileen M. Uzarski; she survives. He previously had married Eleanor Capehart.
He was a member of St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, Meadville.
In 1950 Sandy co-founded Sandans, a paint and wallpaper company on Water Street in Meadville. With his work ethic, he soon expanded his business in to home construction. In 1968 he co-founded, along with Ray Travaglini, his partner for over 30 years, Sanray Corporation which employed over 3000 employees. He purchased the Perkins franchise and expanded it to ownership of 32 restaurants in PA, Ohio and New York. He also owned and operated the VIP Entertainment Complex in Niles, OH and Sandalinis in Meadville. He built the Holiday Inn Express, Imperial Gardens, Golfview Manor apartments/townhouse and he owned the All-American Gas Station and Car Wash. Most recently he operated Sandys European Marketplace.
He served as a board member of Edinboro University, Meadville Medical Center and Western Region Advisory Board for the former Penn Bank. He also served as chairman of the Meadville Area Sports Banquet. He supported the Boy Scouts of America and received their highest honor. In 1982 Sandy was the recipient of the Harry C. Winslow Award honoring his significant contribution to economic growth in the Meadville Area.
Sandy was always proud of his Sicilian heritage and loved his hometown of Meadville. He enjoyed cooking, gardening and being in his yard on his golf cart with his beloved dog, Lexie. Sandy will be remembered as a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and community member. He was the center of his large family and an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and remembered always.
In addition to his loving wife Eileen, Sandy is survived by three daughters Cynthia A. Zylak, Kathleen M. Bouslough and her husband Arthur, Robin E. Nickerson and her husband Douglas all of Meadville, ten grandchildren Jordan and Jennifer Zylak, Kallista Holzerland, Joel, Garrett and Torri Bouslough, Christian, Morgan, Taylor and Cade Nickerson, two sisters Vincena 'Vinnie' Petruso of Meadville, Mary Schramm of Downers Grove, IL, two brothers Joseph Petruso of Tonawanda, NY, Sam Petruso and his wife Betty of Erie, several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Sandy was preceded in death by a daughter Christinia Petruso, a granddaughter Halley E. Zylak, two sisters Ann Caprini, Madge McMurray, two brothers Thomas Petruso and Dom Petruso.
Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday from 6-9 at the Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335, where a scripture service will be conducted at 8:45. Family and friends are also invited to call on Sunday from 1-5 at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church,1085 Water St., Meadville, at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 26th, 2010 with Fr. Richard J. Toohey, Pastor, officiating.
Entombment will take place in St. Brigid Cemetery, West Mead Twp.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 1085 Water St., St. Agatha Roman Catholic Church, 353 Pine St. or Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., all of Meadville, PA 16335.
Share your condolences at miznerfuneralhome@zoominternet.net