Obituary: Nicholas Joseph Petratta - Class of 1938

MADISON/ SPRINGDALE, ARK. - Nicholas Joseph Petratta, age 85, passed away on Friday, Aug. 18, 2006, at the Springdale Health and Rehab Center in Springdale, Ark. He was born on Aug. 19, 1920, in Piana degli Albanesi, Sicily, to parents George and Rose (Salerno) Petratta. Nicholas came to America from Italy as an infant and lived in Chicago before moving to Madison at age three. He was a 1938 graduate of Central High School and attended MATC, specializing in merchandising. He served in the U.S. Army as a corporal during World War II from 1942 to 1943. On June 10, 1944, he married Josephine Ann Barbato in Madison. In 1956, he began his long career as a shoe rebuilder at Phil's Shoe Hospital. After 28 years of service, he retired in 1984. Nicholas was the past president of the Madison Bowling Association, a certified lane inspector, and inducted to the Madison Bowling Hall of Fame in 1980. He was a member of the Italian Workman's Club and also of St. James Catholic Church. In 2002, Nicholas moved to Springdale, Ark. He is survived by his daughter, Rozanne (Greg) Weidemann of Fayetteville, Ark.; and grandson, Scott Weidemann of Baltimore, Md. He was preceded in death by his parents, including stepfather, George Incorvino; wife, Josephine on Aug. 31, 1998; brothers, Ben, Vito and George Incorvino Jr.; sister, Mary (Petratta) Bench; infant sister, Sarah Incorvino; and nephew, Joseph Germono. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1, 2006, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Cress Funeral and Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434


Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 29, 2006