1970-03-26

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FARMINIDALE OBSERVER
WHERE THE HISTORY OF YOUR COMMUNITY IS RECORDED WEEKLY
An Official Newspaper of The Incorporated Village of Farmingdale — Serving Greater Farmingdale, Bethpage and Melville
Vol. 7 No. 31 Second Class Postage has been paid at Farmingdale, N. Y. 11735 Thursday, March 26, 1970
TOWN MOURNS PETITO
SHOOTING TRAGEDY The week of March 24 - 31 has been declared as a period of mourning
for Nassau Family court judge and former Town Supervisor Michael
N. Petito who was shot while entering his hotel in San Juan, Puerto
Rico shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning.
The proclamation was issued by the Town of Oyster Bay.
Roman Catholic services will be held on Saturday at 10 a. m. at St.
Paul the Apostle Church, Cedar Swamp Road, Jericho, followed by
interment at Pinelawn National Cemetery, Farmingdale.
The 43 year old attorney who became the first Democrat supervisor
in 1963 in the Town of Oyster Bay in years, was re- elected in 1965 and
in 1967 before bowing out for the Family Court post in the last election.
When he was supervisor and at the beck and call of practically
every civic, fraternal group, Petito rarely refused an invitation to
accept a civic or community invitation to appear before their group
even on Saturdays and Sundays. He kept a full, busy schedule, but still
found time for his music, which he and his wife Adeline, also an at­torney,
both enjoyed. Both played the piano.
Speculation surrounded the motive for the slaying as late as
Wednesday night, when police questioned suspect Bernardo Creachi
Adorno, 28, from the Bronx, who had been in Puerto Rico for the past
several days. Rumors had it that the suspect may have appeared
before Petito in Family Court.
Petito, vho spoke French, German, Italian, and some Spanish would
go to Puerto Rico at the suggestion of his wife about once a year ' to get
away from all the pressure' that would keep mounting in his job as
lone Democrat on the Town Board,' according to Mrs. Jeanne
Aronson, who was assistant supervisor when Petito was supervisor.
Former Republican Assemblyman Edwin J. Fehrenbach who was
Petito's opponent in the 1965 supervisors race when informed of the
tragedy said that ' he typified the best of a man in public life. Even in
our most heated public debates we frequently joked in sotto voce. We
will all miss him as a public servant.' Fehrenbach said.
Town Supervisor John W. Burke said the tragic death of Judge
Petito* is an immeasurable loss, not only to his family, but to the
people of Oyster Bay and Nassau County to whom he had devoted
years of unselfish service. It is an especially tragic loss for those with
family problems, to whom Judge Petito had dedicated his efforts in
the Family Court. He was a man of great sympathy and human un­derstanding.
No man was more ideally suited to be a Family Court
Judge.
Town of Oyster Bay Republican leader and Nassau County Comp­troller
Angelo Roncallo ' was shocked and viewed the death as a
personal tragedy since our friendship transcended political lines.'
Republican Town Councilman Philip Healey said ' he admired his
energy and capacity.'
The Massapequa Rotary Club, of which Petito was an honorary
member, will present a gift in his memory to his favorite charity.
A World War II veteran, he served in the infantry in Europe.
The body is at rest at the Beney Funeral Home, Syosset on Berry
Hill Road.
Petito is survived by his wife Adeline and four daughters, Peggy 13,
Barbara 12, Caroline 7 and Catherine 5. Also by a brother Robert, an
attorney and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Petito of Garden
City.
Beginning of Holy Week: George Weber of 227 North Rutherford
Avenue, North Massapequa leaves the church last Sunday as his
twins, Patricia and Thomas hold an arch of palms after Palm Sun­day
services. Weber is member of the Board of Water Com­missioners
of the South Farmingdale Water District.
Pokress 1' hoto
An Observer photograph of the late Michael N. Petito taken in 1964 when he
appeared on many platforms with the late Bobby Kennedy. He had been an early
supporter 0f Kennedy, but during the last Presidential Election he had shown
early and consistent support for Hubert Humphrey and served as chairman in
Nassau County of United Citizens for Humphrey. 9aHum ^ hoto