Spencer Wright Petty III
Spencer Wright Petty III died July 5 at his home in Cutchogue following a long illness. He was 81.
He was born at Greenport Hospital to Emeline (Cooper) and Spencer Petty Jr.
After graduating from Southold High School in 1946, he entered the U.S. Navy. He received an honorable discharge in 1948.
Mr. Petty moved to Bay Shore and worked for Republic Aircraft for several years before returning to the North Fork, where he worked first as a plumber and then as a carpenter.
He belonged to American Legion Post No. 807. According to his family, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating and was an avid New York Yankee baseball and stock car racing fan, especially of his favorite driver, Kyle Petty, who was not a relative. “Most of all, he enjoyed his family,” they said.
Predeceased by his sister Marjory Truax, son Duane and grandson Jason Thompson, Mr. Petty is survived by his wife of 15 years, Priscilla; his children, Pamela Thompson and Bryan, both of Cutchogue, and Lauren Stankewicz of Mastic; his sister Audrey Reinhardt of Southold; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The family will receive visitors from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, July 23, at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold, where Pastor Lorraine DeArmitt of Southold Methodist Church will conduct services at 8 p.m. Private interment will take place Saturday, July 24, at Southold Presbyterian Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Cutchogue Fire Department Rescue Squad, 260 New Suffolk Road, Cutchogue, NY 11935 or East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978.