Rudolph “Rudy” A. Petrelli, age 91, passed away on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Aurora Medical Center.
Born on May 23, 1930, he was the son of the late Joseph and Palma (Pasquali) Petrelli. Rudy was a graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School.
On May 23, 1952, he was united in marriage to Constance “Connie” M. Koehler at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. Their union was blessed with 69 years of marriage and six children.
Rudy was a member of Trailer Estates Covenant Church in Bradenton, Florida. He also was a past member of Kenosha Area Business Alliance (KABA) and the Italian American Club.
Rudy was employed in sales with Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Dealership and Covelli and Sons in his early years. During Rudy’s entrepreneur career, he owned and operated Petrelli’s Grocery Store, Petrelli’s Kenosha Bakery and Rudy’s Gateway Club 52. Rudy supported and sponsored pool leagues and softball leagues locally. After Rudy’s business ventures he continued baking at local bakeries including Conway Bakery and Deerfield Bakery to name a few. In later life, Rudy also worked at Kenosha Transit as a part-time bus driver. Rudy was a lifetime baker teaching his children and grandchildren the secret to baking great Italian bread. Rudy enjoyed bocce ball, swimming, and bicycling. He also enjoyed baseball and football and was a political enthusiast.
He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Constance “Connie” Petrelli; his brother, Frank Petrelli; his children, Dr. Denise (Donald) Petrelli-Holst, Darlene (Chris) Hauser, Michael (Robin) Petrelli, Lorraine (Richard) Bonnar, Daniel (Pia) Petrelli and DiAnna (Brian) Johnson; his 15 grandchildren; his 18 great-grandchildren; his 4 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Rudy was preceded in death by his twin Florence Petrelli and his siblings Mario Petrelli, Lillian Petrelli, Mary Hathcock, and Richard Petrelli.