Northborough – Hector Dennison Petri, 89, formerly a longtime resident of Framingham, died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at Beaumont Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Northborough. He was devoted to his wife, Deborah (Shepard) Petri of 63 years.Mr. Petri was born in Boston, the son of the late Gunther Hector and Gertrude (Bement) Petri. He graduated from the Dexter School in 1936 and Hobart College in 1949 earning a degree in chemistry.
He served in World War II from 1942 to 1945. As a second lieutenant, he navigated 23 missions aboard the B-24 Bangin” Lulu with the 704th Bomb Squadron, in the 446th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force based in Flixton, England.
Mr. Petri moved to Framingham in 1950 to begin his career at United Carr Fasteners in engineering and sales management. During his lifetime, he founded two companies: Petri & Jones in 1970 to represent manufacturers of custom components, and Device Technologies in 1984 to manufacture and market over 20 of his patented products and processes.
He was a member of the 446th Bomb Group Association, Inc., the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, the Schussverein Ski Club of Bartlett, NH and the Historical Society of Grand Lake Stream, Maine. He enjoyed sailing, skiing, fishing, gardening, and spending time at the Dobsis Club Camp in Maine.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Anne Seline and husband Harvey of Bedminster, N.J., James Petri and wife Alison of Bolton, Nicholas Petri and his Robin of Framingham, and Ogden Petri of Northborough; his grandchildren, Hannah Petri, Samuel Petri, Carolyn Petri, Nicholas Petri Jr. and Margaret Petri; his step-grandchildren, Jennifer Kincaid and husband Ian of Hardwick, N.J. and Jessica LaSusa and husband Michael of Chester, N.J.; and his step-great-grandchildren, Ashley, Emily and Jessica Huff, and Carter and Thaddeus LaSusa. He was predeceased by his siblings Henry Petri, Camillo Petri and Ellanor Robbins.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m., at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 27 Main St., Southborough. Burial will be private in the Newton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Morris Funeral Home of Southborough.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Grand Lake Stream Historical Society, P.O. Box 52, Grand Lake Stream, ME 04637 or the Framingham Historical Society, P.O. Box 2032, Framingham, MA 01701
To send words of condolence go to www.morrisfuneralparlor.com.
