John Anthony Petricca's Obituary
John Anthony Petricca (“Papi”), son of Rose Talerico and Frank Anthony Petricca, born on November 6, 1952 in Park Ridge, IL died on September 12, 2017 of natural causes. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Chicago. He then attended the University of Utah where he studied business, played football, and married the coach’s daughter – the love of his life, Forrest Marie Meek. They were married in Utah on June 9, 1973 and had 2 children. Rosanne Marie was born in 1976 and David Anthony in 1979. They moved to Texas in 1981, where John began a career in many aspects of real estate, development, and even remodeling older homes later in his career. He stayed true to his Catholic roots while raising his family at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Dallas. He eventually found his happiest place, living on the lake in Granbury, TX where he was known as the big Italian guy who walked his dogs every day all over town. His greatest accomplishments included watching his children grow up, follow their professional callings, and marry incredible spouses, Ty Medlin and Candace Wiggs Petricca. His greatest pride was becoming “Papi” with the birth of his 3 grandchildren – Aubrie (10), Blake (5) and Harper (2). His greatest joy was watching the Chicago Cubs finally win the World Series in 2016. John is preceded in death by his father Frank, mother Rose, father-in-law and coach Bill Meek, and mother-in-law Beverly Fischer Meek. Papi is survived by his wife Forrest of 43 years; daughter Rosanne Petricca Medlin, son-in-law Ty Medlin, and their 2 children, Aubrie Forrest and Blake Tyree; son David Anthony Petricca, daughter-in-law Candace Wiggs Petricca and their daughter Harper Lee; siblings: Frank Petricca and his wife Jean, Joe Petricca and his wife Jan, Michael Petricca and his wife Linda, Paul Petricca and his wife Tammy, and sister Maria Petricca Carabetta, as well as numerous nieces & nephews he loved dearly and his furry best friend & walking buddy, Angel. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, September 22, 2017 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 2pm. Family will receive guests in the breezeway after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John Petricca to St. Jude’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or MD Anderson Cancer Center (www.mdanderson.org).
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