John Garfield Petitto, age 69, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2022, with his family by his side. He was born October 28, 1952, in Highland Park, Michigan. John is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Patricia Ann Petitto, daughter Sandra Lynn Szczechura (Paul), and son Matthew John Petitto. He is also the cherished grandfather of Tyler John Szczechura, and survived by sisters Mary Hopkins (Bill), and Jeannie Hauser (Rick) and many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Thelma Petitto.
John graduated from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory High School and Oakland University. He majored in Social Studies and minored in Communications. He also had a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling. He retired in 2008 from Avondale School District where he had worked for 34 years as an Alternative Education Teacher/Coordinator, Social Studies Teacher and Assistant Principal.
After his retirement he founded NexStep & Associates, LLC specializing in shared time agreements between public and private schools. His clients included: Avondale Schools, Bloomfield Hills Schools, Clarkston Schools, Goodrich Schools, Lutheran High School Association, Lutheran Northwest High School, Lutheran Westland High School, Oakland Christian Schools, Oakland Steiner School, Romeo Schools, Saginaw Valley Lutheran School, and Trinity Lutheran School.
John served as the 2000-2001 President of the Michigan Pupil Accounting & Attendance Association (MPAAA), and as an Executive Board Member from 2001-2014. He was a past Chairperson for Oakland Activities Association Assistant Principal Leadership Group, a Mentor for Oakland Intermediate School District Leadership Academy, and as a Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) Boot Camp Coordinator.
Through his hard work and leadership, John was honored to receive many awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Morning Optimist Club of Auburn Hills, Three Time Recipient of the MPAA Outstanding Service Award, and MASSP’s Michigan Assistant Principal of the Year.
John loved sports and enjoyed coaching Avondale Junior High School Track, Avondale Baseball, Rochester Area Recreation Authority Baseball, Rochester Area Recreation Authority Basketball, Auburn Hills Boys and Girls’ Club Baseball and Rochester YMCA Baseball. He also enjoyed watching Curb your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld, playing poker, traveling with Pat, planning activities, and most of all telling stories.
The memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Shrine Chapel of Our Lady of Orchard Lake St. Mary's
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Thomas (Tom) Rutecki
Tom Rutecki
John was my first roommate freshman year at St. Mary’s. It sure was a lucky thing for me and not so great for John when you learn that he had to put up with muskrat pelts. drying on the radiator in our room. I was lucky to room with one of the smartest guys in our class my freshman year and then again senior year when John Hejka was my roommate. John Petito what is an educator coach, husband father and just an overall great guy. John spent many years mentoring and teaching our youth. Teachers are so important but do not get recognized for the stuff they do. Without teachers there are no engineers, physicians, and accountants can you name it they do such important work that is not often appreciated by most of us. However, John loved doing it and that’s all . He was instrumental in starting the Avondale education Association that was a nonprofit. The Foundation has a specific scholarship opportunity for students who may have struggled during high school but have plans to attend college or a trade school to continue their education. It is a population that was near to John's heart. Former colleagues and students of his dad nothing but the highest praise for John and his dedication to his profession. Thanks be to God for letting us have John for the 69 years that he was with us.