Ted Petrillo of Fishkill, NY, Nokomis, FLA, Fremont, NY, and formerly of Mount Vernon and Manhattan, NY, entered into eternal rest after an extended illness on August 30, 2015. Ted was 90 years old.
The son of the late Albert C. & Mary G. Petrillo, he was born on July 14, 1925 in Mt. Vernon, NY. Ted graduated at age 17 from AB Davis High School in Mt. Vernon. He attended Notre Dame University until his education was interrupted by WWII. Ted proudly & honorably served his country in the US Navy on LST 708, part of the 9th Beach Battalion. He was in active duty in New Guinea, the Philippines, Iwo Jima & Okinawa where he was injured and remained hospitalized at Treasure Island Naval Station from January 1st 1946 until June when he was honorably discharged. Following the war he returned to Mt. Vernon and joined his father as a partner in Gramatan Hardware while he finished his education at New York University, receiving a degree in Business & in Civil Engineering.
In 1946 Ted began a life-long career in the real estate development business. In 1960 while working at the hardware store, Ted started plans for the Mid Valley Mall in Newburgh, NY and a shopping center in Shrub Oak, NY. He built his legacy through community service, professionalism, and commitment to his clients and partners throughout the east coast. Ted developed and built everything from shopping centers to high-rise residential buildings, residential developments, urban renewal projects and medical office buildings. Over the past 50 years, Ted developed over 3.8 Million Square Feet of real estate. In the late 1980s he brought his vision to the Hudson Valley as the founding principal of Westage Companies with the development of the Westage Business Center in Fishkill, New York. It was Ted’s unique vision that led to the creation of many of the region’s most prominent and successful healthcare developments including the Vassar Brothers Medical Mall in Fishkill and the Westage Pavilion in Wallkill, New York. Throughout his career Ted was honored with many awards including the Dutchess County Economic Development Corp.’s Business Excellence Award in 1997 and 2001, and the Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
Mr. Petrillo also served on the Board of Directors of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, Riverside Management Services, an affiliate of Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress, Eastern Savings Bank, and American Savings Bank. Ted was a former member of NY Athletic Club, Pawling Mountain Club, Westchester Country Club, Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute and New York Mortgage Bankers Association.
An avid sportsman, Ted has hunted and fished all over the globe with his longtime friends, and competed in many major fishing tournaments in Montauk and from his home in Hampton Bays, Long Island. In 1946 when he was released from the Navy Ted purchased what would become his favorite place on earth, his farm in Fremont, NY in Sullivan County. He, along with his father built a dam to create a beautiful stream filled lake & stocked it with fish. Over the years Buck Brook developed into a haven to gather with family and friends to fish, hunt, shoot sporting clays and enjoy fellowship. He is well known for his love of competing in sporting clays and hosting the annual Buck Brook Sporting Clay Shoot for over 20 years.
One of Ted’s most recent memorable experiences was his participation in the 2014 Hudson Valley Honor Flight. He spent the day traveling with his son Ted while Marilynn was in D.C. to share to enjoy it with him. His family was there to welcome him home upon arrival at Stewart Airport. He was moved by the day’s experience and spoke about it often.
Ted was a remarkable man, incredibly loved, highly-respected who above all else cherished his family and his friendships. He was foremost a businessman whom numerous regional leaders called their mentor. Ted found great joy and comfort with the devotion, love and care from his wife Marilynn.
Ted is survived by his wife, Marilynn H. Petrillo at home in Fishkill, NY; son, Ted A. Petrillo (Patricia) of Poughquag, NY; daughters, Debra Martirano (Chris) of New Milford, CT, Karen Quito (Julio) of Yonkers, and Dina Herz (Ryan) of Thorndike, ME; stepson, Craig McCoy (Kathleen) of Newburgh, NY; stepdaughter, Melissa McCoy (partner Alan) of Cornwall, NY; along with grandchildren, Anthony Fortugno (Linda), Kristin Fortugno, Jeffrey Martirano, Steven Martirano, Christian Martirano, Dillon Petrillo, and Peter Petrillo; step-grandchildren, Courtney Garzione, Chelsea Garzione, Brandon Garzione, Tyler McCoy, and Colby McCoy; plus three great-grandchildren; sister, Eileen Petrillo (partner Jan) of Dallas, TX; brothers-in-law, Jack Gherardi of Mount Vernon, NY and Sam Harvey of Ashland, KY; nieces, nephews, cousins; his beloved cousin Paul Petrillo of Charlotte, NC who was the brother he never had; his Westage family; and numerous life-long friends he considered family. He was predeceased by his sister Marie Gherardi.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2nd at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 3rd at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill, NY. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Poughkeepsie, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be directed to continue Ted’s life work of caring and doing for others and the community through the TED PETRILLO COMMUNITY FUND, c/o Community Foundation of Orange & Sullivan – Ted Petrillo Community Fund, 30 Scott’s Corners Drive Suite 203, Montgomery, NY 12549 or online at www.cfosny.org.
For directions, online condolences, and memorial donations, please visit Ted’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.