Trending
MARQUETTE, MI – Mark Wilson Petry, 69, of Marquette passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023, at home.
Mark was born on Saturday, August 1st, 1953, to George and Betty (Wilson) Petry in Orlando, Florida. The family relocated to Marquette after many moves throughout the state of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan where Mark graduated from Marquette Senior High School, Class of 1971.
Mark's curiosity and intense interest in learning how things worked developed into a talent to fix just about anything needing repair. These qualities would serve him well in his future endeavors. One of his first employment positions was with Sandy's in Marquette where he eventually became Manager.
Other positions he held were in sales with Vollwerth Company, Coachmen Sales & Service, Marquette and Tasson Distributing, Ishpeming. Following these years in sales, he was Bar Manager at Windmill Lanes, Marquette.
Eventually, Mark was employed at Hoovers Auto Body Shop of Marquette, where he put his talent for fixing and repairing to good use. This all led to Mark purchasing and managing Hoovers Auto Body MWP.
In his spare time, Mark was an avid and passionate golfer who was always willing to share his knowledge and skill of the sport with newcomers. He also enjoyed both fishing and bowling with his wife and son, Brandon. Archery, including bow hunting deer, was one of his many hobbies. Mark loved teaching Brandon how to golf, shoot a bow, bowl, and the finer techniques of fishing.
Mark was a Green Bay Packer's fan since childhood. Many hours were spent around the television rooting the PACK on.
Mark's younger years were involved with his love of motorcycle racing and playing in softball, and pool leagues. Organizations he belonged to during these years included the Archery and Moose Club
Mark's love for his son had him coaching in Science Olympiad, helping redo William Hart Stadium, helping to create wild and crazy Halloween costumes, and assisting with Boy Scouts.
Generous with both his time and talent, Mark was loved and will be remembered most for his kindness and ability to go above and beyond for people, family, friends, and his customers at Hoovers Auto Body MWP Shop. Mark was a very humble man and would be very grateful for all the kind words said about him. A saying which embodies his life is: "He asked for so little and gave so much!"
Mark is survived by his wife of 43 years, Ginger Bollero-Petry; his son, Brandon Petry; siblings, Kirk (Sharilyn Hanson) Petry of Elizabeth, CO; Gail (Russ) Gilman of Port Orange, FL/Sturgeon Bay, WI; Jack (Betty) Petry, of Lake Elmo, MN; Todd (Janet) Petry, of Menomonee Falls, WI; in-laws, Kathy Bollero of Gwinn; Theresa Fralick of Marquette; Mona (Eddie) Consolmagno of Marquette; former spouse, Mary Mineau Hoeber of Raleigh, NC; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, aunts, uncles, other relatives, friends, neighbors, golf buddies, and his whole Hoovers Auto Body family.
Mark is predeceased by his parents, Betty (Wilson) Petry and George F. Petry; grandparents, Sadie M. Krasuski, Edward Wilson, Mabel Prue; and in-laws, William Bollero and Julius Fralick, Jr., and Alma and Frank Bollero.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 11th, 2023, at 2:00 P.M., at St. Michael Church in Marquette with Father Greg Heikkala as celebrant. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. followed by a time where food, fellowship, and memories of Mark can be shared.
Mark will be interred in a columbarium at Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, 2119 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette. If you want to honor Mark's life, do something for someone else without any thought of receiving something in return. Be a nicer person. Mark would love that to be his legacy.
A special thank you to all the friends and family who have reached out to both Brandon and Ginger in this difficult time. A very special thank you also goes to Jeremy Hansen of Fassbender Swanson Hansen and all his staff for everything that they have done to make Mark's passing a little less stressful.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family where condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderswansonhansen.com.
Not, How Did He Die, But How Did He Live?
"Not, how did he die, but how did he live?
Not, what did he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away?"
Anonymous