This is a collection of our memories of our father.  We would appreciate any further knowledge of our father's life to be commeted on this site. 

LeRoy was born of proud parents Michael and Lillian Petry, who had immigrated from Hungary as children  He had 2 sisters, Charolette Julia (Sis)  and Mary Elaine (Babe). His nickname growing up was sonnyboy.   The family grew up in Chicago, Illinois.

He attended Lake View High School in Chicago.  Later in life he attended College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn to study gemology.

He was married to Geraldine in October 1950 in Florida.  He had 6 children.
Michael, (who died a few days after birth) Susanna, Beth Ann, Charmane, Lisa and Katherine (who passed away in 1971)   The family grew up in Rosemont, Illinois.

We were very social with our aunts, uncles and cousins growing up. We loved getting together. Music, dancing and food was always part of our gatherings.
The 4' x 15' pool in the back yard got a lot of use in the summer months.
We would go fishing at Axe Head Lake in Des Plaines.  Busse Lake was one of our spots as well.  We would have picnics at Dam #4 forest preserves.
The Des Plaines river would always flood when there was too much rain.  Schiller Woods was where we went to fly his model air planes. Our favorite place to go once a month was Gene and Judes Hot Dogs in River Grove. Then, next door to Cock Robin ice cream for floats!  The Oasis Drive In Movie Theater was another favorite place that we went frequently.

LeRoy worked on crystal radios and phonographs back in the day.  He worked for a time at Avco, and invented, designed and installed the first weather bell on the First Bank of Chicago, but was not acknowledged for this.  The credit went to his employer, Avco.   He worked at various electronic jobs untill he got employment in the early 1960's at Motorola Inc, Franklin Park, IL.  His position was an Electronics Technician.  He and 2 other colleagues were assigned to invent, design and build the robotics systems for assembly line work.  It took them approximately 3 years to complete this.  Motorola stepped up their production, LeRoy's inventive genius advanced as well. He taught classes for the young electronic engineers.  He designed and built electronic test equipment as well. His last project he designed was, as we know it today, the folding cell phone.  It was advertized back in the early 1990's as 'no bigger than a cigarette packet and will fit in a pocket."  He worked for Motorola for 30 + years, retiring shortly after 1995.  His title prior to retiring was Senior Electronics Design Engineer.

As you can see, he loved to build things.  One thing he built at our house w/ help from a few others, was a huge carport attached to our house, 20ft high x 20 ft  wide and 30 ft long, at least!  He loved to work on cars.  He always worked on them in the driveway. He NEVER used a manual!!!  His favorite cars were Studebakers.  He owned a green motor scooter, 1948 Salsbury.  He would take us kids for rides in the yard and around town.  He LOVED to fix things when they broke.  He was a SUPER duper handyman!!!  

Throughout his life he also loved music and was an avid record collector.  His musical talent was playing the organ.  He loved electronic synthesizer music.  Switched on Bach, Moog Strikes Bach, The Clockwork Orange to name a few.
He loved pipe organ music as well.  Sandy Nelson Drum music too!  His taste in music varied greatly.  Creedence Clearwater Revival was played at our family parties!

Once retired, he stayed very busy.  He was involved in Gemology clubs.
He further pursued his love of playing the pipe organ.  He became the crew chief for the Barton Grande Pipe Organ - one of 2 left in the world - at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois. He not only could repair the organ when needed, he actually PLAYED it!!!   He was a member of JATOE - Joliet Area Theatre Organ Enthusiasts, a chapter of ATOS. 

He was divorced from Geraldine in 1985.
He was remarried to Barbara in approximately 1993.

He talked many times about moving to Sedona, AZ.  A place he fell in love with.  We thought that it would happen at one point with Motorola, but never turned out.

Leroy has 15 grandchildren and 18 great grand children (and one on the way).

Daddy, We love you and miss you more than you can ever know! 
From your daughters - Susanna, Beth Ann, Charmane and Lisa
Written by Lisa