Sad news once again. Brad Patrella, Sr., who served with honor in the 95th Bomb Group in Horham, England, during World War Two, flew his final mission . If you were to saunter up to the bar at the Red Feather Club in Horham today, you would find yourself bellying-up to 'Brad's Bar'. When he was in the 95th, Brad served as the bartender at the Red Feather Club.
I had the incredible honor of meeting Brad at the 95th Reunion in Tucson last spring. He was spry and full of memories of his time at Horham. His smile and his love of life was contagious. My condolences go out to Brad's family, including his son Brad, Jr. whom I also got to meet.
What follows is a tribute and obituary for our friend Brad Petrella.
Have a safe journey, Brad. We'll miss you, buddy.
Brad Petrella, 85, of Wintersville died Sunday, October 5, 2008 at Acuity Specialty Hospital. He was born February 22, 1923 in Mingo Junction a son of the late John & Felicia Petrella. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church; 95th Bomb Group Heritage Assn.; and Red Feather Club.
Preceding Brad in death were two brothers Tony & Rocky Petrella. Surviving are his wife Rose M. Thomaselli Petrella; children John (Deanna) Petrella and Nancy (Tom) Schloss both of Wintersville and Brad (Gail) Petrella of Avon, OH; grandsons Mark Schloss, David (Emily) Schloss & Nicholas Petrella; great grandchildren Sage & Ava Schloss; sisters Mary Stover of Steubenville & Rose Kenealy of Fresno, CA.Per Brad’s request, there is no visitation. Friends are invited to attend a funeral liturgy with mass 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Church with Msgr. Kurt H. Kemo officiating. Entombment at Mt. Calvary. There will be a 1 p.m. reception at Shorac Family Center after the cemetery committal services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to 95th B.G. Heritage Assn., Attention : G.I. Hammesfahr; P.O. Box 71, Metuchen, NJ 08840-0071.
Preceding Brad in death were two brothers Tony & Rocky Petrella. Surviving are his wife Rose M. Thomaselli Petrella; children John (Deanna) Petrella and Nancy (Tom) Schloss both of Wintersville and Brad (Gail) Petrella of Avon, OH; grandsons Mark Schloss, David (Emily) Schloss & Nicholas Petrella; great grandchildren Sage & Ava Schloss; sisters Mary Stover of Steubenville & Rose Kenealy of Fresno, CA.Per Brad’s request, there is no visitation. Friends are invited to attend a funeral liturgy with mass 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Church with Msgr. Kurt H. Kemo officiating. Entombment at Mt. Calvary. There will be a 1 p.m. reception at Shorac Family Center after the cemetery committal services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to 95th B.G. Heritage Assn., Attention : G.I. Hammesfahr; P.O. Box 71, Metuchen, NJ 08840-0071.
2 comments:
I send his family my best wishes!
Thank you Kimberly for your thoughtfulness.
Best,
Brad Jr.
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