Racing aside, I really did enjoy what time I had with John and Theresa in Ucluelet. Took the guitar over a few times and we had a fun time and loved the day of fishing on their boat.

Just was such a open book and he told it how it was, not beating around the bush.

You were a great guy John and I'm sure everyone will miss your presence.

Never met John patry but I sit here and pray for him but he is at rest I have his famous 69 Dodge Super Bee Mopar car sitting on my shelf by Auto World along with the 69 Dodge Charger RT my another person call the Hawaiian those were definitely the days surely the best of times thanks for the reminder of our friend in Christ beloved John Petrie  always in our hearts /  sincerely Michael Dean Burgan

Sending my condolences to the family from the son of John Osborn 

My father John Osborn did Engine work for him for a long time my father died in 2005 of colon cancer  

In 1991 John and I were set up on a blind....and married in 1997,,,After several years of living on the road in our beautiful bus that John himself designed and built, we decided to settle in Chilliwack British Columbia..We eventually parted ways, but remained friends to the end.
John was the smartest man I had ever met, and was always ready to share his talents with whomever need need it.
John introduced me to the world of fishing and hunting, and the processing of our catch...I can tell you that no matter where and what we were doing, you can be sure that we were home by 4 pm (happy hour)...
John will be remember for his creative work, and amazing sense of humor..
John ..surely you must have left this world  thinking " I lived life to the fullest, and "I did it my way"..RIP John


Memories? Oh yes, I have a few... I met John when he was running his own speed shop, Northern Performance, in Cooksville, Ont. 
That was March of 1966 where John was in the process of purchasing the Argyl Canadian Highlander. His intention was to go racing full time as a professional drag racer and was the first Canadian to do so. 
John being in need of an assistant, offered me the job, which I took. Within a couple of weeks, John set the new NHRA National record in the E/XS class at, York, Pennsylvania. 
John had an intuitive mind when it came to marketing himself or his products. He was also the most innovative person I ever had the pleasure and honor of working with. John and his dear wife, Grace and I, toured the country for 4 plus years together and I can not recall one angry word between us.
That was John, not one angry word. He was my friend and hero.
I love you man and thanks aren't near enough for the memories.
You will never be forgotten.


 
  


I will always remember John as a kind, gifted, fun-spirited man that everyone enjoyed being around. There are so many stories, and with them, great memories from our time on Go Home Lake. My family and I are so fortunate to have these memories. John was a man who was involved with so much, but he always had the time for us kids. I think that was so special, and one of his many gifts. His impact on me as young boy on the lake growing up around boats and snowmobiles is something that I’ll never be able to quantify. And if there is a measure of a man to improve anything he touches, or the hearts he reaches in a lifetime, John Petrie was that man. 
-Lots of great memories with John, Janie, and Tiffany. John, you’ll be missed.

Mark Sommer
GHL, Ontario


I meet John in 1969 when we lived in the same part of Bayridges Ont. I was 15 at the time.It started with just helping push the cars into the garage and it turned in to 4 years racing all over North America.So as for memories I have so many I would not know where to start.John was my hero and like a father to me.The last time we talked was in May of this year.We always talked about racing and talked about what he would of done differently if we ever had the chance .It was a joy to have  had John a part of my life and i am a better person for it.Thanks for all the good times and great memories.Between all of us there is more then enough to write a book.RIP  my friend until we talk again.

Although I didn't get to spend alot of time with my Uncle John growing up, (he in B.C with my Aunt Janie and cousin Tiffany and my family in Ont)  he was always kind, attentive and full of fun when I visited with him. My condolences to my cousin Tiff and to her boys Jayson, Ryan and Tyler. 

I met John when he was retired and spending his summers in Chilliwack BC and living the life of a snowbird, traveling down south for the winters. He was a master mechanic and would take the time to help me with my truck and boat when I had mechanical issues. John loved Salmon fishing, and I enjoyed a few mornings with him on the Vedder river trading stories. When we left BC for work, John took the time to check in on my dad who lived just up the hill from their summer home. John was always willing to lend a hand and had an infectious smile and a great sense of humor. We lost touch for a few years but reconnected and would visit him on the West Coast of Vancouver Island every summer. A legend in the Drag Racing world, John and his team brought the trophies home to Canada. Thanks for the memories, you will be missed...  Condolences to family and friends    
RIP John Petrie 

My deepest condolences to out to the family and friends of John Petrie.🙏 I worked at a local Dragstrip in the late 70's but never learned of the legendary Canadian Drag Racer John Petrie  until my friend Robin McQueen got me intrigued about this iconic Canadian Drag Racer through a Web page. The accomplishment were many and his legacy will forever live on though us Gearheads, his Decal forever wil adorne my Mopar.🙏🙏

Retirement from racing led to family and friends. His marriage to Mary Jane Petrie (Laverty) resulted in one daughter and eventually three grandsons. He was married to Janie until her passing in 1991. John then married Shirley Ann Bell and enjoyed actual retirement on the road and seeing North America.  The traveling bug satisfied, John then settled in Ucluelet with his now partner Teresa Mack to enjoy fishing and time on the water. 

After leaving the Toronto area, John enjoyed life on Go Home Lake in the Muskoka region of Ontario. He and Janie lived year round on the lake and flipped cottages. Still enjoying a taste of the fast lane, John raced speed boats on the lake and perfected his barefoot  water skiing in the summer. Winters brought snowmobile racing with lengthy day trips throughout the Muskoka region and racing over open water. Weekend and summer residents soon become close friends.

In 1978, John and Janie decided to “move out west and build a log house”. And that’s exactly what they did. John’s genius ability manifested in a log home and log shop which they built themselves. When John’s mom moved from Ontario they built that one too. His skills having grown from mechanics to carpentry, he worked on the tug boats and various other jobs while they remained in Nakusp, BC. 

During these years, friends frequented their home and John continued to enjoy boats, snowmobiles and even took up a project building a bus motor home. From an old shell, he reconstructed from the frame up, a home on wheels to travel in his senior years. 

He believed that anything was doable. And everyday he proved it to be true. His innovation, resourcefulness and joviality was inspirational and infectious. 




Not only a pioneer and champion Drag Racer, but a great mind who succeeded at what ever he tried. RIP John Petrie.

John you are a true Legend! Thank you for all the wonderful memories! May you Rest in Peace ♥

Thank you for the thrills.   A life well lived. Sad to hear of your passing.

Born September 19, 1942, John Petrie is a Canadian Drag Racer, driver, builder, and team owner. He is the son of Edgar and Doris Petrie. John and his mother moved from London, England to Gagetown, New Brunswick when he was four-years-old. During World War II, John’s father was a Private in the Canadian Military stationed in London, England.

Petrie began his amateur racing career after leaving high school to become a licensed mechanic. John developed an interest in Drag Racing after attending the Indy Nationals in 1959 at the age of 17.

Petrie’s family moved to Ontario when he was a teenager, and he spent several years helping his father deliver milk. He also spent time working on their farm, which is where he developed a greater interest in mechanical equipment and engines.

Petrie’s first racing experience was with small sea flee racing hulls (with a 10hp motor). This experience was beneficial for his career as it allowed him to develop his racing skills for future competitions.

As an apprentice mechanic working at Mount Pleasant Motors in Toronto, Petrie also took night courses in aircraft engines and airframe mechanics. On June 24, 1964, Petrie became a licensed mechanic with an inter-provincial seal, which allowed him to work in any Canadian province.

Starting in the early spring of 1961, Petrie began racing his 1959 Plymouth Sport Fury in the D/SA Class on the drag strip, and won every weekend he competed.

Achievements

1961 – D/SA (12 wins)
1962 – D/SA (16 wins)
1963 – D/SA (15 wins)
1964 – D/SA (12 wins)
1964 – A/MP Mid Season (6 wins)
1965 – S/SA (21 wins)
1966 – S/SA, A/FX, A990 Wheelstander
1967 – First Flip-Top Funny Car (8.5 ET)
1968 – Flip Top Blown Funny Car (7.8 ET)
1969 – SS/E, SS/FA (under NHRA records)
1970 – PRO/S, SS/DA (Record Setter), C/Alt
1971 – PRO/S Division 1 Winner
(1st Canadian too so)
1972 – PRO/S Final Year
(Ran 9.39 ET winter)
(Ran 149 MPH in US winter meets)
Total Races: 290+
Total Wins: 180+

OBITUARIO

John Edgar Petrie

19 septiembre, 1942 – 8 junio, 2020

Chapel of Memories Funeral Directors

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