Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Angelo Giulio Petroni passed away June 9, 2015 at home, surrounded by his family. Born September 5, 1928 to Victoria (Quilici) Petroni and Giulio Petroni, he grew up in Meaderville, and graduated from Butte High School in 1946. He met the love of his life, Virginia Strozzi in 1950 and they were married on September 7, 1952. Together they had five children. In 1962, the expansion of the Berkley Pit forced them to move out of Meaderville to the home Ang built in Terra Verde Heights.
Ang will be remembered by the Butte Community as the manager of the Bert Mooney Airport for 25 years. He served as chief of the Meaderville and Terra Verde Volunteer Fire Departments and was an active member of Butte Celebrations. He was elected to the Mile High Conservation District and served as Supervisor. Ang was an active member of the Cristoforo Colombo Lodge.
In his early years, he worked for the Anaconda Company as a blacksmith and for Silver Bow County as a deputy sheriff, worked as an engineer at the Civic Center, Silver Bow General Hospital and finally, the airport. He retired as airport manager in 1991. Ang was a volunteer fireman for most of his adult life. As chief of the Meaderville Volunteer Fire Department, he helped the neighborhood deal with expansion of the Pit and relocation of families throughout Butte. He was instrumental in the design and engineering of many of the elaborate Christmas displays and Fourth of July floats. He recently served as advisor to Butte High School ‘s History Club as they resurrected the infamous Christmas display that is now located at the Race Track Fire Department. Ang founded the Terra Verde Heights Volunteer Fire Department. He was a long-time volunteer for Our Lady of the Rockies and he was always willing to help a friend in need. He never met a challenge too big or a task that he couldn’t accomplish.
While employed by the Anaconda Company, Ang was a regular fixture at the Miner’s Union Day first aid competition, serving as participant, coach and judge. He cherished those days of celebration at the Columbia Gardens where neighborhoods gathered as one community.
Ang loved hunting, fishing and spending time with friends and family at the cabin south of Butte. His elk sausage and salami were delicacies for all. He never passed up the opportunity to check a line for mushrooms as he drove through the Highlands or Viapond Park
Ang was preceded in death by his parents Victoria and Giulio Petroni, granddaughter Kirsten Henrich, daughter-in-law Diane Petroni and brother’s-in-law Frank Ralph and Donald Strozzi.
He is survived by his spouse of 63 years, Virginia (Strozzi) Petroni, sister Minnie Ralph, brother in law Neil (Betty Ann) Strozzi, children Mark and Peggy Petroni of West Yellowstone, Steve and Laurie Petroni of Hayden, Idaho, Julie and Mike Henrich and Linda and Dennis Lowney of Butte, and Jan and Dan Brown of Cyprus, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren Chris (Wendy), Andy (fiancé Sophia) and Dave Petroni, Nicholas Petroni and Lindsey (Jared Friedly) , Michael and Eric Henrich, Luke (Stephanie), Jake (Jordan), Kerry Lowney (fiancé Jarrett Weigle) and Kally (Bret Bosshart), and Nathan, Jordan and Angie Brown; and great-grandchildren Madison, Haley, Emma and Jackson Lowney and numerous nieces and nephews.
Our hearts are broken at the loss of our patriarch. We will cherish the memories of a life well- lived and a man who taught us so much about the meaning of love and family. God blessed us with one of the good guys and we will be forever grateful!
Visitation will be at 9 AM at Holy Spirit Parish, followed by Funeral Mass at 10AM. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.mtstandard.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Highland Hospice, or Our Lady of the Rockies.
