Jonathan D. Petry passed away June 12 at the Maine Veterans Home, Augusta after a long battle with Parkinson’s and Diabetes.
Mr. Petry enlisted in the Army at age 17 and was stationed 1943-46 in the Infantry, European Theater of operations and 1950-53 US Army, Infantry, Korean Theater of Operations. He graduated with a BA Degree from San Diego State College, class of 1950 and received an MA Degree from Stanford University, class of 1954.
He began duty in 1954 with the Central Intelligence Agency and retired in 1979 after 25 years as a career intelligence officer with assignments about equally divided between service abroad as an intelligence officer and as a staff officer at CIA Headquarters. During his headquarters stint he graduated from the United States War College, School of Naval Warfare, class of 1970 in Newport, R.I.
Mr. Petry was active in breeding and showing dogs from the 1970s to the 90s. He placed AKC Championship and Obedience titles on his beloved Rottweilers. During that time he developed an educational program sponsored by the University of Maine Extension Service to bring information about the care and training of pets to Hancock County grammar school children and organized a program of nursing home visits by members of a local dog club. Two of his Rottweilers were therapy dogs. He held membership in a number of East coast dog clubs and was chairman of the Federation of Maine Dog Clubs.
From 1982 to 87 he was a Real Estate broker in Ellsworth before retiring to Jefferson.
He is survived by his wife Patricia of 51 years of Jefferson; daughters, Michelle Petry of Vienna, Va., and Danielle and husband David Hudson of Youngsville, N.C.; sons, Morgan and grandson Alex of Auburn and Jonathan and wife Kimberly and grandsons, Connor and Ryan of Hermon.
Service to be announced at a later date.
Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.