John Petti

SCOTTSDALE – John Petti, PhD, 86, of Scottsdale, Arizona passed away on May 10, 2018. John was born on June 5, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio to Federico and Maria Christina Petti. Following graduation from South High in Youngstown, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as an interpreter in Roma, Italy from 1951 to 1952. After his Army service, he initially went to work at Youngstown Sheet and Tube but soon decided that attending college was far better than working in a steel mill. He earned his bachelor’s degree in two years from Youngstown State University and then was awarded a scholarship to attend The University of Chicago. After completing his master’s degree and teaching high school for four years at Chaney High School in Youngstown, he moved with his family to Tempe, Arizona, where he earned his PhD in counseling psychology from Arizona State University in 1966. John then worked for over thirty years as a Psychologist at the Carl Hayden Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Phoenix. There he met the love of his life, Maxine. He continued to see patients after retiring from the VA, only closing his practice when he reached the age of 83. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his sisters Loretta Mound and Tina Guido, his step-son Stephen Maddox, and his first wife Nancy Sampson. He is survived by his wife Maxine Petti; his children Frederick R. Petti (Joan) of Phoenix, Arizona and Shauna T. Hanus (Robert) of Prescott, Arizona; his step-children Eric Maddox (Diane) of Tucson, Arizona, Donald Maddox (Barbara) of Mt. Shasta, California and Patty Miller (Glenn) of Belle Fourche, South Dakota; by his granddaughters Stephanie A. Perkins (Chris) of Corpus Christi, Texas, Gabriella T. Petti of Olympia, Washington, and Katie and Anna Hanus of Prescott; by his stepgrandchildren Aaron and Joel Maddox of Charlotte, North Carolina, Amber Maddox of Weed, California, and Jesse and Brandy Miller of Belle Fourche; and his great-grandson Brody Perkins of Corpus Christi. The son of Italian immigrants, he was proud of his Italian heritage and that he was the first in his family to earn a college education. He was equally proud of his military service and work with veterans. The family will host a memorial lunch some time in June. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley. Riposa in pace, dottore John.