Harvey Joseph Petras

Age 71, of Forest Hills. Born July 2, 1946 and died suddenly on June 17, 2018. Loving husband of Denise (Frankovich) Petras and a hero of a father to Adam Petras. Brother of Joanne (Gene) Edwards; Alan (Franny) Petras; Cheryl (Donny) Burkhart; and Diane (late Frederick) Ludwig. Brother-in-law to Olivia (late Jack) Weichler and Marietta (Andrew Elash) Castellano. Uncle to Debbie (Gino Triponi) Edwards; Paul (Angela) Edwards; Jason (Kim) Ludwig; Lindsay Weichler; and great uncle to Ava and Rhys Edwards. Harvey was preceded in death by his brother David Petras and his parents Mary Carolyn (Charney) and Joseph Petras.

He worked for Mele, Mele and Sons as a landscape foreman before he retired 10 years ago. His many projects included work on the Pittsburgh International Airport campus, RMU campus, Monroeville Sports complex, Fort Duquesne Blvd. beautification, Mellon Park and North Shore.  A hard-working, strong man with a tender heart for appreciating the beauty in all that grows, Harvey grew his plants from seed at home and maintained a beautiful yard and garden, often sharing his plants and knowledge with neighbors and friends. Growing up in Forest Hills he made many lifelong friends, a group known as the Woodside Weasels who affectionately referred to him by the nickname Dudley.  A graduate of Wilkinsburg High School and the A School for equipment operating engineers, Harvey also served his country with two tours of duty in Vietnam, working as a Navy Seabee in the construction battalion as a heavy equipment operator building roads in the warzone.  He loved his family and his home, and was particularly fond of animals, always gently caring for the family dogs and cat. Harvey was loved and will be dearly missed by his family, friends and neighbors, as he left us too soon. Visitation will be held at Wolfe Memorial Inc. Forest Hills Chapel, 3604 Greensburg Pike, Forest Hills PA 15221, on Sunday, June 24, 2018 from 1-4 pm and 6-8:30 pm. Blessing service at the funeral home will be on Monday, June 25, 2018 at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 am, St. Maurice Church, 2001 Ardmore Blvd., Forest Hills, PA. Interment in Penn Forest Natural Burial Park. Plant a tree in his memory or memorial contributions can be made to Phipps Conservatory; American Heart Association; American Diabetes Association; or memorial mass at St. Maurice Church.

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