John "Jack" Petrie

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John “Jack” Petrie, who peacefully left us at the age of 88 on March 7, 2025. 

Born on June 12, 1936, Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Ella, and his siblings: Gene Petrie, Richard (Helen) Petrie, and his twin sister June (Dan) Reinicke. 

Jack will be missed by his nieces and their spouses, Lori, Lisa (Ralph), Lynda (Norm), Paula (Jim), Brenda (Jeff) and Leslie (Mike), cousins Pat and Pete, and lifelong friends Ken Leonard, Dave Leonard and Tom Sitter, who remained by his side through the years. He also leaves behind many great nieces, nephews and family friends that have fond memories of Jack.

Jack dedicated his career to First Wisconsin Bank in downtown Milwaukee. Outside of his professional life, Jack was passionate about traveling, with several memorabletrips to Hawaii and Las Vegas. He also cherished the outdoors—hiking, biking, and bird watching—often sharing these experiences with his nieces, creating lifelong memories. His adventures with his nieces also included trips to Zoo, museums and the movies. An avid sports fan, Jack enjoyed playing tennis with his friends and embraced the camaraderie of friendly competition. Monthly poker games with a close group of relatives and friends were a staple in his life. In recent years, he found joy in playing blackjack, which became his favorite pastime. His love of nature also continued as he was able to watch deer, turkey and birds from just outside his window. He tried not to miss any game on tv whether it was the Packers, the Bucks or Brewers.

Above all, Jack was known for his kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. He never had a bad word to say about anyone and was a true friend to all who knew him. Jack’s legacy is one of love, laughter, and a heart full of compassion. He was a wonderful Uncle. A celebration of life will be held tentatively on June 14th, 2025 for both Jack and June for all friends and family. We will reach out with details as the date gets closer.