Alfred B. Petitt

Obituary
Alfred B. Petitt passed away peacefully to his new home in Heaven on August 2, 2013 in Henderson Nevada, he was 89 years old. He was born in Rochester New York on March 6, 1924 to Chester and Amelia Petitt, who were both 1st generation immigrants from Italy.
Alfred was married to Earnestine Wallace in Las Vegas Nevada in May of 1957 56 years of marriage. Together Alfred and Earnestine had three children, Stephen, Philip and Pamela. Alfred and Earnestine lived in La Mirada California, Beaverton Oregon, Scotch Plains New Jersey, San Jose California, and finally Henderson Nevada for the past 12 years.
Alfred was a very proud World War II Veteran. He served in the Army Air Force as Sergeant with the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers Squadron in the Pacific Theatre India, Burma, and China and had duty in North Africa.
Alfred received a B.S. degree from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY in 1951. He spent most of his career in the Insurance Industry. Alfred was VicePresident of Marketing at Argonaut Insurance. His career at Argonaut spanned more than 40 years and he successfully progressed to many executive and leadership positions.
Alfreds family and friends remember him for his caring personality, dependability, and always putting the needs of others first.
Alfred was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Amelia his brothers Vincent and Anthony and his sister Ellen.
Alfred is survived by his wife Earnestine son Stephen and daughterinlaw Mary Anne son Philip and daughter Pamela Ruiz grandchildren Michael Ruiz, Katerina Petitt and Alexander Petitt and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the country.
Alfred will be missed and always in our Thoughts and Hearts until we meet again in Heaven.
We Love You Al, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, Friend.



My Dad Eulogy by Son, Steve
As I stand here and reflect, mourn, and yes CELEBRATE my father, my dad, what can someone really say other than Thank You, Dad. I Love You and Will Miss You. His is a loving father, husband, brother, son, grandfather, a distinguished WWII vet, and cherished friend to many, many others over his long life.
One of the greatest gifts a person can give to someone else is his Time. With that time comes the benefits of experiencing that persons wisdom, advice, care, respect, knowledge, wit, and for his family his unselfish love.
My Dad always put his needs below those of others around him. Yes he grew up in the Depression and taught us though I only half listened at times that we should never take for granted the little things in life.
He joined WWII because he knew it was the right thing to do for his country to the point that he supposedly lied about his age to get in. To this day we still wonder how old he really is.
o Regardless, he wanted to serve his country and saw it as a privilege and honor. He battled in the Pacific Theater and has told many of us stories about that time.
o As I reflect, I can see why they call this the Greatest Generation and to me he is the poster child of that time. Thankfully, Dad wrote his memoirs about his military days which I will cherish for the rest of my life.
As I grew older, got a job, got married, had my own family I realized how right he was because it are the little things in our daily lives hearing the birds chirping, patting the head of a dog, watching kids play in a yard, seeing your garden grow that are really the rewards that make us step back and say Thank you God for letting us enjoy today.
I will always thank my Dad for making his hardheaded son me finally really appreciate the simpler things in life and making time for the people that really matters in one life. My Dad always told me he liked my perseverance and the way I stayed with things like my dream of being a baseball player.
o Well, it is because of YOU, Dad, that I learned to never quit and be a fighter because the answer you need will eventfully come to you somehow or some way but as long as you dont give up the right answer will be there for you.
o My Dad is and always looked kind and gentle. But inside, he is a quiet fighter that never gave up which is how he battled over his final weeks, days, and hours in this world. 8195
He had tough times in life especially in his later years with all sorts of health issues. I know he was physically and probably emotionally hurting at times, but he always seem to look at the brighter side of life and took it in stride.
In 2009 he wrote me letter which I still keep and will place in a safe at home. He said back then I read somewhere that life can be considered as a deposit of time ... we each are given a fixed number of years that are placed in our account. With each passing of the day our time account decreases. At my age I have already exceeded my life expectancy ... and I guess you can say Im on bonus time and that each day is a gift.
o He more than earned the extra time he was given.
o The real gift was having this extra bonus time with my Dad.
He always worried about other people FIRST whether it was his immediate family, friends, or even people he may have come across in his daily activities. Thank you Dad for teaching me to think beyond my own needs and realize how you can be an inspiration to others by simply being there and listening.
I will miss talking to my Dad. He always had great advice and stories that made me realize that the things I thought may be hopeless are not and there is always a solution that he always seemed to guide me towards whether we both realized it at the time or not.
His positive insights about life and kind words are things I will miss but will always cherish in my memories and I know I will still ask him for guidance from his new home in Heaven when he can take a break from his new WalMart Greeter job I know he is doing for all the new souls arriving Heaven as we speak
Dad, forgive my stubbornness with you at times, my thinking I know everything, my impatience for I always respected and loved you with all my heart. You are the BEST DAD a son could ever have.
In closing, regardless of your beliefs, this much I can promise you: My Dad remains alive and is well again in Heaven. He is here, all around me, in all of you, every day.
All you have to do is just think of him, talk to him. Like he always was in his waking days on earth hell listen and talk with you and guide you in the right direction.
Thank you Dad I will always miss you, honor you, and try to make you proud every day of my life. Your son, Steve.

Written: 8313

Visitation

Davis Funeral Home
6200 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV  89119
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Service

Funeral

Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Chapel
1900 Buchanan Blvd.
Boulder City, NV  89005
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
12:00 P.M.

Cemetery

Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery
1900 Buchanan Blvd.
Boulder City, NV  89005