Robert "Bob" Petrini

Robert Joseph Bob Petrini, 92, of Great Falls, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2016 after a brief stay at Grandview.A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Christ United Methodist Church.Robert was born on September 2, 1924 to Rinaldo and Mary Petrini in Great Falls, Montana and was raised in Black Eagle, MT. He attended Great Falls High School. At the age of 18, he served in the US Army Infantry in the South Pacific for thirty months. In 1946, he returned to marry his high school sweetheart, Estella Parrish. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Hamilton, MT working on an apple farm. They returned to Great Falls to build their home and start a family. He worked as the grower and manager of Electric City Conservatory for 28 years. After retiring, he worked as an independent contractor for 15 years. In 1965, he designed and built the Valley View Miniature Golf Course and continued to grow many of the flowers that adorned the grounds every summer until his passing.In 2013, Bob felt honored to be able to participate in the Big Sky Honor Flight. He was a charter member of Christ United Methodist Church. He was also an active member of Great Falls Optimist Club and the Skunkwagon Car Club.Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years, Estella; son Wayne (Kris) of Great Falls; daughters Annette (Kim) Johnson of Great Falls and Roberta (Steve) Maxwell of Ennis; brother Jack of Great Falls; sister Maryann Cartee of Boise, ID; grandchildren Ian, Seth and Kimmerlee Johnson, Sean and Erin Murray, Jordan and Taryn Petrini and Serena and Kelsey Maxwell; and 8 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, Rinaldo and Mary Petrini; brothers George and Harold; and sister Shirley Gray.Memorials in Bobs name may be made to the donors choice.