Kenneth J. Petrochello

ASHTABULA-Kenneth J. Petrochello, 77, passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday evening September 3, 2023.

He was born in Ashtabula on May 8, 1946, the son of Joseph and Helen (Torok) Petrochello.

Ken graduated from St. John High School in 1964 and went on to Youngstown State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in education.

On July 15, 1972 Ken married Noreen “Tuffy” Bader; his loving and devoted wife of the past 51 years

He returned home to his alma mater and took his first teaching job at St. John High School (1968-1992) where he taught health and physical education.  He worked his last 20 years teaching in the Buckeye and Cleveland Metro School Districts.  While at St. John and Edgewood Kenny coached football, baseball, softball and basketball.  He loved all sports but excelled personally at softball and golf.  He played softball for the Crow’s Nest, winning countless league titles and tournaments, while playing alongside his best friends.  His love of golf became so great that he started his apprenticeship under Chuck Webb at the GOTL Golf Course and then received his PGA Golf Professional Membership.  He served as the Golf Pro at the Ashtabula Country Club in the past and was still presently working at The Kahkwa Club in Erie for the past 30 years. He ran countless leagues but his Wednesday Night League at GOTL was by far the most popular.  Just like softball, golf has forged lifelong friendships that Kenny felt blessed to have.  Kenny always had dogs as pets and would take them on daily walks and for car rides; George, Rocky and Obie (his all-time favorite).  While all those things were great in life, Kenny felt most fortunate to be blessed with a loving wife, an amazing son, terrific parents and siblings and the most loyal friends a man could have.

He is survived by his loving family: his wife Noreen “Tuffy”, his son Joseph “J.K.”, his brother Gary, sister Roseann (Ron) Cimorell, his sister-in-law Mary Petrochello as well as his in-laws Jay (Lin) Bader and Elaine Jackson, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother David.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 12:00 at OLOP Mt. Carmel Church, 1200 E. 21^st Street, Ashtabula.  Calling hours will be held prior to Mass at Czup Funeral Home, 1329 Lake Avenue, Ashtabula from 10:00-11:30.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in his honor to St. John School, 7911 Depot Road, Ashtabula, Ohio