Emilio Joseph Petti

He was preceded in death by his parents, Celestino and Emma (DiMella) Petti of Cleveland and Bowling Green, Ohio. Emilio graduated from Collinwood High School and went on to earn a degree in Business from Bowling Green State University. While at BGSU, he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the Newman Club. His legendary pizza-making for fellow students would foreshadow a long and successful career in the hospitality industry.

A proud U.S. Marine who served during the Korean War, Emilio returned home and became a pioneer in Ohio’s restaurant and hotel industry. He opened the first pizza restaurant in Bowling Green, and alongside his brother Nicholas Petti, founded several landmark establishments: Petti’s Alpine Villages in Bowling Green and Findlay, The Alpine Cliff House in Port Clinton, and the iconic Fort Findlay Hotel.

The Fort Findlay Hotel became a cultural and political hub, famously decorated with antiques and memorabilia from Hollywood’s MGM auction and pieces from the Mabel Dodge estate in Michigan.

Emilio’s dedication to excellence in hospitality earned him the presidency of the Ohio Restaurant Association and leadership roles in several civic and cultural organizations across Northwestern Ohio. As a longtime member of Rotary International, he was known for his warmth, generosity, entrepreneurial vision, and unmatched showmanship.

A gifted tenor, Emilio performed regularly as a soloist and appeared in many productions at the Fort Findlay Playhouse, combining his love for music and entertaining. His hotels and restaurants welcomed an array of celebrities and dignitaries over the years, including President Gerald and First Lady Betty Ford, George H.W. and Barbara Bush, Senator Robert Dole, Lillian Gish, Arthur Fiedler, Colonel Harland Sanders, and José Greco, among many others.

Later in life, Emilio married Suzanne Savage. Together, they lived in Findlay, OH, Delray Beach, and Clearwater, Florida, and shared 44 wonderful years of marriage filled with travel, community, and family.

Emilio is survived by his children: Paul Petti, Christina Fields (Robert), and Patricc Petti (Brian Layton) of Tampa, Fl their mother, Colleen Cunningham; and his loving wife, Suzanne Petti. He also leaves behind two cherished grandsons, Brandon P. Petti of Melbourne, FL, and Joseph E. Shahum of Savannah, GA; his brother, Nicholas A. Petti (Georgene) of Fort Myers, Fl, nieces Yvette Petti (Loretta) of Battle Creek, MI and Michele Hensel (Timothy) of Findlay, OH, as well as many extended family members and friends who were touched by his vibrant spirit.

Emilio lived a life marked by service, creativity, and a deep love for people. His legacy lives on through the places he built, the communities he enriched, and the countless lives he touched.