Stephen Michael Petrich

Steve was born on March 28, 1947 in San Pedro, CA. The middle child of Mike and Ardie Petrich. His mother always said he was a scamp, to which his older sister Michelle and younger brother Marty would agree. He grew up as part of a large Croatian clan well known in San Pedro. Along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, he spent many happy hours at his Grandmother Nona’s house. He loved reminiscing about those days and continued a strong relationship with his extended family all his life.  Staying true to San Pedro, he attended Mary Star of the Sea and went on to graduate from Fermin Lasuen High School in 1965. In high school he was on the diving team and was co-editor of his yearbook. In his senior year he met his wife Linda Wade of Long Beach who attended his sister school Marymount in Palos Verdes. He attended UC Santa Barbara where he made many friends at the House of Lords and enjoyed sailing.

I n 1967 Steve joined the Army and went through basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He served a year in Vietnam with his first various assignments in Saigon and then on duty refueling and arming helicopters in hostile territory. He never spoke of his experiences in the war but mentioned his buddies many times. On November 29, 1968 while on leave, he married Linda. They moved to Fort Lee, VA. until his discharge in June of 1969. Steve began working for the U.S. Post Office and earned a B.S. degree in Biology from California State University Long Beach.  He continued at CSULB as a teaching assistant in the science department and earned an M.S. in Marine Biology. He had many friends and a great sense of humor. He loved outdoor activities such as backpacking, camping and scuba diving.

On June 17, 1976, his first son Matthew Stephen was born. He loved fatherhood so much he couldn’t wait for a daughter, Johanna Lynn, born April 20, 1978. They lived in Long Beach and he began working for the City of Los Angeles as a marine biologist monitoring pollution in Santa Monica Bay. The birth of his son Daniel Christopher on September 2, 1982 joyously completed his family. He devoted much time to his children and became involved in Little League, Indian Guides and Boy Scouting with troop 670.

The family moved to Cypress, CA in 1987 and Steve, still with the City, was promoted to supervising a computer department. He bucked convention and wore Hawaiian shirts to the office, had a song for every occasion and made everyone laugh. Being a great dad carried over into being a great granddad when his first grandchild, Faith, was born on November 9, 1999. He helped raise her until his final days. In June of 2014, his eldest son Matt married Heather Edmonson, whom Stephen loved as a second daughter. He became a grandfather again on Oct 2, 2017 when their daughter Eleanor was born.

Steve retired from the City after a thirty-five year career. He was diagnosed with cancer and fought that battle courageously until, after four years, he succumbed at home with his family at his side. He is the embodiment of Dylan Thomas’ words, “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light”. He is survived by his wife Linda, children Matt, Johanna and Daniel, granddaughters Faith and Eleanor, sister Michelle and brother Marty.  He will be loved and missed always.  “Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401