Russell Roberts Petrini

Russell (Russ) Roberts Petrini, 63, passed away on May 9, 2026, following a pulmonary embolism at his home of 21 years in Mesa, Arizona. Born June 13,1962, at Maple Avenue Hospital in Dubois, PA, Russ was the son of Charles Blane Petrini and the late Norma (O’vell) Petrini.

He moved from Houghton, NY to Mesa, AZ in July 1976 and entered Mesa Jr. High School in the fall. Russ continued his education at Mesa High School, making friends with Bryan Jensen whose strong friendship endured the many trials in their personal lives. Graduating from Mesa High School in 1980, Russ was especially involved in the music program under the direction of Harry S. Garrett, who remained a close friend until Russ’s passing. Russ sang in the A Cappella Choir, the Superstition Singers, and even played roles in the Mesa High musicals.

He met the love of his life, Lisa (Coggins) Petrini, in 1981, and they were married on March 20, 1983. They shared the love of music – especially guitar music, both acoustic and electric. Their home always had many guitars in it, and they frequented local theatersattending live concerts to support their favorite artists. They played in a church rock band, The Manna Team, at the then, Trinity Baptist Church from 1997 until 2007. Their involvement at Trinity also included working with the college-aged ministry.

Many of the friends, the Gibson’s, Griffy’s, Porter’s, Smith’s and Story’s, that they made early in their married life remained constant in their love and support as Russ and Lisa experienced both health and personal trials, but also love and laughter: making music, camping, travelling to Rocky Pointe, and attending each other’s kid’s sporting events. They helped to shape and mold each other’s lives.

Russ’s undeniable presence and genuine companionship will be missed by all the people whose lives he affected. Generosity came second-nature to Russ; he and Lisa hosted gatherings at their home, which included the extended family’s annual 4th of July party and a neighborhood block party at Halloween, complete with games for kids, food, and a haunted house.

Russ founded Petrini’s Custom Stucco and ran the business from 1999 until 2008 with the constant help of his life partner, and wife, Lisa. It was a respected and successful company in the valley and as a family member commented, “he was proud of his craft”. Petrini’s Custom Stucco employed over 200 people before Russ’s diagnosis of Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) which had caused the death of his mother and grandmother before him. Receiving two kidney transplants, the first, from his brother, Joe, and undergoing years of dialysis, Russ withstood these trials with humor, often teasing the medical professionals at the dialysis center and Mayo Clinic Hospital. A family friend remembered “his playful teasing nature will always be clear in my memories of Russ”.

Russ loved golf especially with his “golfing buddies” Rob Peterson and Johnny Bailey; Johnny not only played golf with Russ but worked at more than one stucco company with him. Russ continued playing golf regularly even after his diagnosis of PKD, which he suffered greatly, but continued living and enjoying life. He recently recovered from foot surgery which kept him off the golf course for 10 weeks but just a few weeks before his passing was finally able to walk the beach at Rocky Point, Mexico, a favorite getaway for him and Lisa which they often shared with their long time and very close friends, Jeff and Alice Gibson. Another favorite getaway was “the cabin up north” - a shared family retreat that the Petrini family used to escape the heat, hustle, and headaches of the valley life.

Their son, David, and his wife, Megan (Henretta), were married at the cabin on November 16, 2019. The second love of Russ’s life arrived January 8, 2022, when Marley Jane Petrini was born to David and Megan. Russ (known to Marley as Pa pa) and Lisa travelled recently to Disneyland, CA to celebrate Marley’s 4th birthday with David and Megan. Russ was able to enjoy many milestones in his life before his passing. One was when his and Lisa’s oldest son, Mathew, was married to Alexis Totty. The beautiful wedding was held in the Valley on October 27, 2024. It was especially gratifying for Russ to share many good moments together with Mathew and Alexis. Fishing was a shared pastime for the Petrini men. Often, they took fishing trips which included Grandpa and Uncle Joe.

Russ and Lisa were attending Fountain of Life Christian Fellowship in Mesa at the time of his death. Russ was excited about their involvement, fellowship, learning, and outreach - “A church family reaching up to God and reaching out to the world Jesus came to save”.

Russ is survived by his father Blane (Linda) Petrini, his loving wife, Lisa, of 43 years, son, Mathew (Alexis) Petrini, son David (Megan) Petrini, and granddaughter, Marley, his brother and close friend, Joe (Stacie) Petrini and his beloved sister, Natalie (Michael) Marsalli of Naples, FL. He left behind aunts and uncles, many nieces and nephews as well as close cousins of the Lori (O’vell) & Jeff Hoffman family all of whom reside in the Valley. Russ loved and was loved by so many.

“There’s no way around grief and loss: you can dodge all you want, but sooner or

later you just have to go into it, through it, and, hopefully, come out the other side. The

world you find there will never be the same as the world you left.”

-Johnny Cash

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, 6 pm

One Life Church, 2130 E University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85213