Chief Petro was the head of Lakewood Police in the days that Time, Life, Look and other national magazines declared "Lakewood, Safest City In America."
From the family....
Charles Carlyle Petro Jr., Born 7/3/29
Married 9/1/1951 – Discharged from Army 1953. Andrea born 8/9/1952 in Fort Campbell Kentucky.
Survived by wife of 67 years Irene Petro (nee Horvath), Brother John Petro (Carol), Sister Lynn Hanhilammi (Petro), Daughter Andrea Petro (Scott Jefferies), Son Gregory Petro (Barbara Marra Petro), five grandchildren and one great grandchild. Proceeded in death by father Charles C Petro, Sr. and mother Myrtle Petro (Haynes).
School 1st four years Gates School Elyria and Wadsworth.
1939-1940: Four schools in two years: Wadsworth, Elyria, Akron and Port Clinton
8th Grade – Toledo McKinley
High School – Toledo Devilbiss High School – Graduated top 10% of his class in 1947.
In his Senior year – worked the Racetracks for the Midget Auto Racing Circuit. Traveled to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and Massachusetts, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.
In 1948- worked US Shoe Co and Precision Casting and setting bowling pins at Lakewood Recreation Bowling Alley.
In 1950- worked at Kramer Greenhouse in Rocky River. Met Irene Horvath summer of 1950.
Drafted in Army March 1951- Volunteered for Airborne Division Fort Campbell Kentucky- made 18 jumps in 2 years.
Returned to Lakewood 1953- worked at Kramer Greenhouse and joined the Lakewood Police Department—climbed the promotion ladder Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Chief. Retired in 1983.
One of the original members on the board of trustees – Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund. - appointed by Governor James Rhodes.
He admired two politicians- Bob Lawther, Mayor of Lakewood, and Jim Flannery, State Representative. He admired the police officers: Vince Krempburger, Mike Flynn, William Leonard, Dick Keller, and Ronnie Murray.
Worked as a Labor Negotiator 1985-86, representing labor union in Huron, Sandusky, Perkins Twp., and Erie County Sheriff.
In 1999, he joined Personal Household Liquidating Estate Sales. In 2008, joined Granny’s Attic Estate Sales.
He enjoyed fishing, horse racing, bowling and stamp collecting.
• Went to Kentucky Derby in 1991 and Breeder’s Cup four times. Favorite jockeys were George Wolf, The Ice Man, Jerry Bailey, and Garrett Gomez.
• Had 299 bowling score with 680 series. Cleveland Press Head Pin Tourney- 5th place.
• Belonged to Black River Stamp Club in Elyria.
He was called coach by many for over 25 years. He coached 7th and 8th grade basketball teams at St James in Lakewood and St Angela’s in Fairview Park. His favorite college coaches were Fred Taylor (OSU), Bobby Knight (Indiana), Coach K (Duke), and Louie Carnesecca (St Johns).
He loved to drive and often would run 700 miles in a day. He traveled to every state in America, St Lucia, St Martin, St Bart’s, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria and five Canadian providences. He visited 10 National Parks.
Chuck was known for his Christmas Cookies. He baked 25 different varieties and gave them out to over 20 people. His signature cookies: Green Christmas tree with gold star and wreaths. Favorite cookie was Truffles in Disguise.
“Never saw a sausage he didn’t like”
Loved Thanksgiving dinner and Leg of Lamb or Crown Roast of Pork for Christmas.
Favorite Cocktail- 5 Star Rye.