David Robert Petrie of East Quogue, formerly of Southampton, died on February 25. He was 86.
The son of David Nelson and Dorothy Petrie, he was born in Southampton on November 28, 1928, and graduated from Southampton High School with the class of 1947. Until the time of his death, he met monthly with his classmates, who call themselves the “Lunch Bunch.”
After graduation, Mr. Petrie served in the U.S. Army, where he was trained in radio communications. This would become the cornerstone of his professional entrepreneurial life. In 1957, he married Mary Jean Fry of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, at Our Lady of Poland Church in Southampton. They moved to Westchester County, where Mr. Petrie opened R.P. TV Laboratories. Together they had five children and a very full life, making many trips to Southampton and Nova Scotia.
The family moved back home to Southampton in 1976, and Mr. Petrie established another successful business, R.P. Vending.
He became involved in many civic organizations, including Alternatives Counseling Services, where he served as president and a long-term member of the board of directors.
Survivors said he always had a quick smile and a “How are you doing?” His kindness and gentleness of spirit were the hallmarks of his personality, they said. Mr. Petrie later shared his life with Mary O’Brien, residing in East Quogue, where he was embraced by her family.
Mr. Petrie is survived by five children, David and wife Claire of Massachusetts, Dan and wife Kim of New Suffolk, Paul of Sag Harbor, Sarah of Arizona, and William and wife Heather of Southampton; as well as five grandchildren, Lauren, Lucas, Nicholas, Abby and Anna; and five step-grandchildren.
A wake was held at O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton on February 27. A funeral Mass took place at Our Lady of Poland Church on Saturday, February 28, followed by burial at Southampton Cemetery.