John R. Petrone

John R. Petrone, Ph,D., 89, of Kirtland, Ohio, died March 30 of kidney failure at David Simpson Hospice House. He was born on December 26, 1932, in Youngstown, Ohio, the only child of Mary (nee Macchione) and Angelo (Skee) Petrone who preceded him in death. John is survived by his six children: Nicolette Petrone (Mark Reynolds), Jennifer Miroglotta (Sal), John G. Petrone (Eva), Margaret M. Petrone, Michael Petrone (Kristine Jackson), and Susan Petrone (Michael Daugherty). John is also the beloved grandfather of Jessica Stuver (Ryan), Halle Miroglotta, Dylan Petrone (Hannah Novinc), Ryan Petrone, Sage Petrone, Solana Petrone, and Ella Daugherty. A great-grandson will be arriving in June. John married Diane L. Ruppel in 1987, and they were married for 35 years. John also leaves behind a host of cherished cousins, friends, and former students. A proud United States Air Force Veteran, he served in the Korean War as a Sergeant. After his service, John Petrone completed his Bachelor of Music Education at Youngstown College. He then obtained his Master's in Music Education from Duquesne University and then continued graduate work at Catholic University of America, Case Western Reserve University, and was awarded a doctorate degree from Conservatoire de Musique de Lille in France. Dr. Petrone has been a lifelong performer, composer, and educator, so it is fitting that he died on World Piano Day. At the age of nine, he performed his first piano recital at Butler Art Institute in Youngstown. Since then, he has performed, either as a pianist, conductor, or both, in every venue available to the professional musician: television and radio, pit orchestras for national touring artists, studio recording, small jazz clubs, and Carnegie Hall, N.Y. As a composer, Dr. Petrone has numerous published works for school orchestras and bands. He has composed the music for a full-length musical based on the life of St. Augustine and has written many children's shows. He was the music director and composer for "The Mr. Jingeling Show" during it full tenure in Cleveland. In addition, he has had many commissions for choral and orchestral works. He played for well-known performers, such as Jonathan Winters, Steve Allen, The Ink Spots, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Red Skelton, the Lennon Sisters, and Engelbert Humperdinck, and even met Count Basie. As a music educator, Dr. Petrone taught vocal and instrumental music at every level from kindergarten to college in the Willoughby-Eastlake School District and Ursuline College. Dr. Petrone will be remembered for his ever-present sense of humor and wit, his love of cars and racing, his incredible music talent, and his zeal for life. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the care John received from his health care team from Cleveland Clinic and Hospice. The family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate his life on Sunday, April 3, 2022, from 1pm to 5pm at Monreal Funeral Home, 35400 Curtis Blvd, Eastlake, OH 44095. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, April 4, 2022, at 11am at Divine Word Catholic Church, 8100 Eagle Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094. Interment will be at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens, 11521 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, Ohio 44026. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Dr. Petrone's name to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, Ohio 44192. https://www.hospicewr.org/Patients-and-Caregivers/Giving-Back/Make-a-Gift

John R. Petrone

December 26, 1932 - March 30, 2022

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