Daily Sitka Sentinel

Alex Petro, Former Sitkan, Dies in Washington at 35

Alex Petro

Former Sitka resident Alex Petro died suddenly at his parents’ home November 23, 2022, after a brief illness. He was 35.

Alex had moved to the Seattle area shortly after his parents, Steve and Pam Petro, moved from Sitka to Port Orchard, Washington, in 2017. He would ride the Seattle/Bremerton ferry to Bremerton and take the walk-on ferry to Port Orchard. His parents never knew when he might drop in, but were happy he lived close enough for those visits.

Alex was born on October 4, 1987,  at the Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital (SEARHC). He attended Sitka elementary schools and went on to work hard to earn his high school diploma. He was determined, and graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 2005, a year ahead of schedule.

Not many people knew about Alex’s talent as an artist. He didn’t have lessons but he could draw effortlessly.  This led to his interest in tattooing – he enjoyed tattooing as another medium for his art.

Alex was a master of his skateboard from an early age. He had a natural ability in sports and in addition to riding his skateboard he loved basketball, baseball, swimming and snowboarding. When it was time for fishing for trout or Dolly Vardon, however, that took place over other activities.

One of Alex’s happiest days was when his son Khayree was born, in 2008. It was a happy time for Khayree and his dad to play hard and just spend time together. It was a noisy place when the two of them were playing.

Alex leaves behind his parents, Steve and Pam Petro of Port Orchard;  his younger brother, Sam Petro of Juneau; his son, Khayree Petro of Sacramento, California; aunts Yolanda Eldora of Bremerton, Washington, Lisa Killinger of Sitka, and Marcia Lupro of Port Orchard; and uncle Mike Lupro of Port Orchard.

His uncles Donald Petro and Darren Stromme preceded him in death.

A small, private celebration of Alex’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to school drug programs.

Alex’s family expressed thanks to the many friends “for all the support and love you have shown, and the many emails and phone calls,” they wrote.

“You all are a blessing to us and we love you.  Your kind expression of sympathy will always be remembered.”