Lenin Dragon Petroff

Mr. Lenin Dragon Petroff, of Bay City, passed away peacefully early Friday morning, April 22, 2016 at Close To Home A.F.C., age 88. The son of the late Joseph D. and Annie (Harding) Petroff, he was born on May 3, 1927 in Chicago. Lenin was raised in Detroit and graduated from Madison Heights High School. He then served his country during WWII with the U.S. Army and was the recipient of the WWII Victory Medal and the Japan Occupation Medal. For over 40 years Lenin worked in sales at his family's business, Beaute Craft Supply Co. in Troy. He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Farmington, the ELKS Lodge #1986 in Farmington Hills and the American Legion Post #18 in Bay City. Lenin was an avid Tiger's fan and enjoyed bowling and golf. Following his retirement Lenin resided in St. Lucie, Florida for 15 years and has been residing in Bay City the last 3 years.
On April 24, 1954 Lenin married the former Mary Rosine Orrico and she preceded him in death on December 7, 1992. He was also preceded in death by a son, Daniel R. Petroff in 1993 and a sister, Muriel Dowdeswell.
Lenin is survived by four children, John J. (Joan) Petroff, Lenin J. (Sheryl) Petroff, Renee DeNamur and Mary Ann Smolinski; his grandchildren, Jean (Travis) Krebs, Joseph Petroff, Jamie Petroff, Nick Petroff, Steven Petroff, Larissa Petroff, Nicolette DeNamur, Alicia Smolinski, Scott Smolinski and Sean Smolinski; his fiancé, Patricia Ritchie; a sister, Anna (Chuck) Skinner; and several nieces and nephews.
The Memorial Service will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Officiating will be Rev. Matthew Schramm. An inurnment service will take place at a later date at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association. www.gephartfuneralhome.com