Louis John Petra

Louis John Petra – known to many as LJ – passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026 with his beloved wife of 48 years, Barbara, by his side in the place they loved more than anywhere else in the world – Peru, Vermont.

LJ is survived by his daughter Jen and her husband Jerry Yacavone, daughter Suzanne Aiello and her husband Vincent, son Louis James and his wife Carly and daughter Beth Dundon and her husband Stephen. He will forever be adored as PapaLou to his grandchildren, Luke, Annabel, Chase, Ellie, Emily, Louis Austin, Tyler, Madi, Emma, Mark and Emma. LJ is also survived by his older sister Ellen and younger brothers Eugene and John, and he is pre-deceased by his parents Louis Anthony and Isabella.

Following a successful career as a CPA at Arthur Anderson and later as CFO at Kimco Realty Corp., LJ and Barbara moved from Long Island – where they were born and went on to raise their family together – to their cherished state of Vermont. There, they established roots at Turning Leaf and built their dream home for family and friends to gather.

It didn’t take long for them to settle in and become a fixture in the local community. LJ was a helping hand at Decell’s Christmas Tree Farm where he bartered his labor for wedding cakes and tree saplings. And as time went on he emulated his father and became the familiar, friendly face and sage sounding board as a local bartender at Garlic John’s in Manchester.

Weddings, grandchildren and a fresh vision for the future…the next chapter drew LJ and Barbara to a smaller version of perfect. They crafted their forever together home; curating family memories, customizing every detail and finding ways to make it more special every single day. He loved being home – landscaping, watching baseball, planning and executing house projects, and opening his home to family, new friends and old. And, his passion for traveling to St. Martin, Europe or spending irreplaceable time being present for those he loved the most provided the perfect balance.

He is missed already, and he will be missed every day.

Visitation will be held for family and friends on Wednesday, April 22 from 4 - 7 p.m. at Brewster-Shea Funeral Home in Manchester Center, Vermont. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 11 a.m. at Christ our Savior Roman Catholic Church in Manchester Center, Vermont. In leiu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad.